janaushadhi suvidha sanitary napkins 2022 to Rs. 1 to remain available at 5500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, pads at subsidized rates at stores to promote women’s hygiene, awareness to be created on menstruation

Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins

The Central Government has now launched the Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin initiative to promote menstrual hygiene among women. In this scheme, the Government of India is providing facility sanitary pads at Re 1 through Janaushadhi Kendras. Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins are being made available at more than 6300 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Yojana – PMBJP Kendras across the country at a minimum rate of Re 1 per pad. The market price of similar sanitary napkins is around Rs 3 to 8 per pad.

Suvidha Sanitary Pads are available at discounted rates at designated Jan Ayushi stores. These sanitary napkins were sold in packs of 4 and thus a pack would cost only Rs.4. These oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins give a massive boost to women’s hygiene promotion. The subsidized oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins under the brand name Re 1 are available at 6,300 Jan Ayush Kendras across the country.

Suvidha sanitary pads at Rs 1 at Jan Aushadhi Kendras

To fulfill its pre-poll promise, the Modi government is now providing Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins at just Re 1 per pad. The cost of making a single sanitary pad comes to around Rs 2.5. So in order to ensure low retail prices for sanitary pads, the government will provide subsidies. The total annual expenditure on subsidies will depend on the sales volume.

Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin Initiative

Since inception (June 4, 2018) to June 10, 2020, more than 4.61 crore sanitary napkins have been sold at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janshadi Kendras. After the revision of prices on 27 August 2019, more than 3.43 crore pads have been sold at Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras till 10 June 2020. After the reduction in prices, the sales of these pads are expected to increase by more than 2 times.

The central government is focusing on quality, affordability, and access to enhance the hygiene of women. These pads are useful for poor women as the average market price of sanitary napkins is between Rs 3 to Rs 8. This step of the Modi government is a big step towards the empowerment of women in India through the Bharatiya Jan Ashirwad Yojana.

Need for Jan Ashadh Suvidha Sanitary Pads

Menstruation and menstrual practices still face some social, cultural, and religious restrictions which are a major obstacle in the path of menstrual hygiene management. Girls and women in many parts of the country especially in rural areas do not have access to or opt for sanitary products as most of these items available in the market are a bit expensive.

This move ensured ‘Clean, Swasthya and Suvidha’ for the underprivileged women of India. This step has been taken by the Central Pharmaceuticals Department to ensure the achievement of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of Affordable and Quality Healthcare for All.

Quality of Oxo-Biodegradable Pads in Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin Initiative

Sanitary napkins are eco-friendly, as these pads are made with oxo-biodegradable materials that comply with ASTM D-6954 (Biodegradability Test) standards. Under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Dhan Yojana, these pads are being sold at 1/- per pad. PMBJP Kendras are functional in this challenging time of COVID-19 outbreak and ensure the availability of medicines and essentials to whoever needs them.

Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkins are available in all the centers. Under PMBJP, more than 1.42 Cradle Pads have been sold in the month of March, April, and May 2020 across the country. Suvidha pads are available in sufficient quantity in all the centers.

background of the government scheme for sanitary napkins

On the eve of World Environment Day 4th June 2018, the Government of India proudly announced the launch of the “Jan Ashadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin” for the women of India. According to the reports of the National Family Health Survey 2015-16, about 58% of women aged 15 to 24 use locally prepared napkins, sanitary napkins, and tampons. Therefore, to promote menstrual hygiene, Govt. launched the Janaushadhi Suvidha Sanitary Napkin Initiative. All steps will be taken to ensure that there is no diversion of subsidized sanitary napkins.