Lok Sabha Question No. 1979 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-07-31
Subject: Menstrual Hygiene
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL, RAMA DEVI

**GOVERNMENT OF INDIA**

**MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**LOK SABHA**

**UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1979**

**TO BE ANSWERED ON 31** **ST** **JULY, 2015**

**Menstrual Hygiene**

**1979. 	SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:**

**SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:**

Will the Minister of **HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE** be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme to promote menstrual hygiene and address the problem of menstural disorders among adolescent girls in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the salient features of the said scheme along with the targets fixed and achieved thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year and the manner in which the said scheme is being implemented;

(c) the funds earmarked, allocated and spent by the Government in this regard during the said period State/UT-wise;

(d) whether the Government provides/ proposes to provide sanitary napkins to girls in rural and backward areas free of cost or at subsidised rates, if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated/ released/utilised by the Government and beneficiaries covered under the said scheme

during the said period, State/UT-wise; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to create awareness about the benefits of using sanitary napkins in rural and backward areas of the country?

**ANSWER**

**THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE**

**(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)**

(a):	Government is implementing Scheme for Promotion of Menstrual Hygiene for Adolescent Girls (aged 10-19 years) residing in select districts of rural areas. These girls are provided sanitary napkins at subsidized rates along with adequate knowledge and information about the following:

- Maintaining good menstrual hygiene.
- Proper use of sanitary napkins.
- Safe disposal  by environmentally friendly  methods.

At present Government of India is supporting 112 Districts in 17 States through central supply and 60 Districts in 12 States through decentralised funding to the States provided by National Health Mission.

(b):	The salient features of the scheme are:

- To increase awareness among adolescent girls on Menstrual Hygiene.
- To increase access to and use of sanitary napkins by adolescent girls in rural areas.
- To ensure safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner.

As per the information received from the States the target beneficiaries are  2.2  Crore adolescent girls who have been benefitted by the scheme

(c):	The  State/ UT wise allocation and expenditure incurred for the central supply is at Annexure 1

The  State/ UT wise allocation and expenditure incurred for the decentralised supply under National Health Mission is at Annexure 2

(d):	The Government is already providing sanitary napkins to rural adolescent girls at a subsidised rate of Rs. 6.00 per pack of six napkins.

Details of budget in reply of part (c)

(e):	Government has developed posters, leaflets, audio- video, mid media and interpersonal communication to promote menstrual hygiene and end the cultural taboos associated with it.

During monthly meeting with adolescents ASHA discusses issues related to adolescent health including menstrual hygiene

**Annexure - 1**

**EXPENDITURE ON SANITARY NAPKIN PROCUREMENT (GOI SUPPLY)**

| S. No.    | Year    | Expenditure in Rs. Crores   |
|-----------|---------|-----------------------------|
| 1         | 2012-13 | 46.50                       |
| 2         | 2013-14 | Nil                         |
| 3         | 2014-15 | 6.24                        |
| 4         | 2015-16 | 1.50                        |
| **Total** |         | **54.24**                   |

**Annexure - 2**

**APPROVAL & EXPENDITURE FOR SANITARY NAPKINS PROCUREMENT UNDER**

**NATIONAL HEALTH MISSION 2014-15**

| **S.No.**   | **State**                | **Sanitary napkins procurement  Rs. In Lakhs**   |                 |
|-------------|--------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-----------------|
|             |                          | **SPIP Approval**                                | **Expenditure** |
| 1           | Chattisgarh              | 27.93                                            | -               |
| 2           | Himachal Pradesh         | 288.00                                           | 110.10          |
| 3           | Orissa                   | 679.62                                           | 2.51            |
| 4           | Rajasthan                | 605.61                                           | -               |
| 5           | Assam                    | 356.15                                           | -               |
| 6           | Tripura                  | 161.44                                           | -               |
| 7           | Andhra Pradesh           | 63.84                                            | -               |
| 8           | Telangana                | 85.79                                            | -               |
| 9           | Goa                      | 3.20                                             | -               |
| 10          | Haryana                  | 129.42                                           | 37.32           |
| 11          | Dadra & Nagar Haveli | 8.51                                             | -               |
| 12          | Puducherry               | 24.00                                            | 24.01           |