Centre launches biodegradable sanitary napkin for women

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertiliser Ananth Kumar on Tuesday launched the ‘Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Oxo-Biodegradable Sanitary Napkin’ for women.

Speaking after the launch here, Kumar said, “Only 48% of the women use sanitary napkins while the rest cannot afford it. It is now affordable for all women at a price of Rs 2.50 per piece.”

This launch is in fulfillment of the promise made on March 8 this year on the occasion of World Women’s Day. Jan Aushadhi Suvidha comes with a special additive, which makes it biodegradable when it comes in contact with oxygen after being discarded.

“Over 1.13 lakh tonnes of sanitary napkins are dumped into our environment every year, which hardly decompose. Suvidha is a highly pro-nature initiative, as the decomposing starts in about six months’ time, due to its oxo-biodegradable nature,” he explained.

Jan Aushadhi Suvidha is being made available in more than 3,600 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana Kendras functional in 33 states and Union territories by
July 19, 2018.