Odisha CM Announces Free Sanitary Napkin Scheme ‘Khusi’ For School Girls

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced the launching of free sanitary napkin scheme ‘Khusi’ for 17 lakh school girls.

“In continuation of our pro-women initiative, I am happy to announce “KHUSHI” universal provisioning of free sanitary napkins to all 17 lakh girls in government and government-aided schools from class 6th to 12th. In addition to this, the government will also expand social marketing of sanitary napkins for women and girls in the community at subsidised rates. I am sure this step will go a long way in promoting health and hygiene among school going adolescent girls leading to higher retention in school and greater empowerment of women,” the Chief Minister said while launching the scheme at the State Secretariat here.

Patnaik said his government is always committed to the empowerment of women. From Mission Shakti and MAMATA to 50 percent reservation, women have been the focal point of all our key interventions, he pointed out.

Health and Family Welfare Minister Pratap Jena, who was present on the occasion, told media persons that the state government has also decided to provide sanitary napkins to women in rural areas at a subsidized rate of Rs 6 for six napkins.