BMC to provide sanitary pads to school girls, but no disposal plan

While on one hand, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is providing free sanitary napkins for girls in class 6 to class 10, on the other hand it doesn’t have a mechanism to dispose of the napkins. Social activists say incineration is also not a viable option as it harms the environment.

According to a recent proposal, girls in 6th standard and above will every month get eight sanitary napkins for free, except during two months of summer vacation. The BMC has approved the Rs 9 crore plan for three years.

Additional Commissioner, Idzes Kundan said in the standing committee meet that there are 47,084 girls who will be benefitted. The scheme received a good response but the disposal system remain unattended.  Even today there isn’t any disposal system, admitted Idzes Kundan.

“There are various issues with regard to sanitary napkins. We are raising these issues for quite a long time. Even advocate Sarode file a petition in National Green Tribune and RTP is a co-petitioner. The hearing is pending due to non-availability of the bench,” said Supriya Sonar, an activist from Right to Pee movement.