Shillong: In a significant move aimed at empowering women in the state, the Meghalaya government has allocated a gender budget of Rs 5,271 crore. Additionally, plans are underway to introduce a program offering biodegradable sanitary napkins at a nominal cost of one rupee each.
During the sidelines of the Budget Session on Wednesday, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, who also serves as the finance minister, disclosed that discussions regarding this initiative have been ongoing for two years.
“We have devised a policy for generic medicine, wherein essential drugs like paracetamol will be available at the cost of one rupee, and similarly, sanitary pads will be priced at one rupee per piece. This initiative is in the pipeline, and while we cannot divulge many details as we are still refining it,” Sangma mentioned.
He clarified that the provision of free sanitary napkins would only be considered under extreme economic circumstances for families in dire need. Sangma emphasised the government’s commitment to ensuring the effectiveness of the program before its official announcement.
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Moreover, the government is exploring environmentally friendly technology for manufacturing biodegradable sanitary napkins. Sangma revealed that support has been extended to an organisation in Nongstoiñ, West Khasi Hills District, engaged in producing biodegradable pads.
“We have supported that organisation by giving machines and even encouraged them to expand and further expand production of biodegradable sanitary napkins we are working that front. Once he have the scale and numbers and capacity then we will go ahead with the program,” informed Sangma.
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