Karnataka: State government approves local purchase of sanitary pads

Karnataka: Following a report in the Bengaluru edition, the state government has approved the local procurement of sanitary pads for female students.

A report titled “No Suchi Kits yet, students skipping classes” was published on December 16, 2025.

Following this report, the Health and Family Welfare Department has released ₹10 crore to the districts for the local procurement and distribution of sanitary pads.

The Health Department has directed that necessary sanitary pads for a three-month period for 19,64,507 female students from classes 6th to 10th and Second PUC (Pre-University Course) be procured and distributed locally at a cost of ₹10 crore under the district-level sanitation program.

According to the rules of the Suchi Kit program under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan for 2025-26, 2,35,74,084 sanitary napkins were to be distributed to all female students studying in government and aided schools, colleges, and government hostels in rural and urban areas through the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited at a cost of ₹71.83 crore. However, since August 2025, distribution has been delayed in some schools due to a shortage of stock. The government is now planning to issue a new tender.

B. Kotesh, a teacher at a government high school in Vijayanagar, said, “Finally, the Health Department has decided to distribute sanitary napkins. This is a matter of dignity for the girl students. Just as the government has decided to provide reservations for women, menstrual leave, and a share in parental property, providing sanitary napkins to girl students should also be a priority for the government.”