Parliament Question: Utilization of fund under menstrual hygiene scheme in Tamil Nadu

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 418 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2026 UTILIZATION OF FUND UNDER MENSTRUAL HYGIENE SCHEME IN TAMIL NADU 418. DR. M. DHANAPAL: Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether Government has taken steps to ensure effective utilisation of funds allocated under the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme across States, including the State of Tamil Nadu; (b) if so, the details of measures taken for strengthening sanitary napkin procurement and distribution in Tamil Nadu, along with the reach of Jan Aushadhi Suvidha Pads; and (c) whether Government proposes to expand coordination with State Governments and local bodies to improve awareness campaigns and equitable access to menstrual hygiene services? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL) (a) to (c): Public health is a State subject. However, the Government of India implements the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme under the National Health Mission (NHM) for adolescent girls aged 10–19 years. Central Government supports the States and Union Territories under the National Health Mission based on proposals made by them in their State Programme Implementation Plans (SPIPs). The major objectives of the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme are: • To increase awareness among adolescent girls on menstrual hygiene; • To increase access to and use of high-quality sanitary napkins to adolescent girls; and • To ensure safe disposal of sanitary napkins in an environmentally friendly manner.Other initiatives to promote availability of menstrual hygiene products include the Jan Aushadhi Suvidha napkins, which are made available at Rs.1/- per pad only. These Suvidha Oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins are available for sale in more than 16,000 Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Kendras across the country. The State Government of Tamil Nadu promotes access to safe menstrual hygiene products by providing biodegradable sanitary napkins (Pudu Yugam Pads) through its own State mechanisms. The procurement process in the State is carried out as per the prescribed State financial procedures. In addition, the National Menstrual Hygiene Policy for School-Going Girls, released in November 2024, provides a comprehensive framework for strengthening access, awareness, environmentally safe disposal of menstrual waste, and integration of menstrual hygiene education, and has been developed in collaboration with multiple Central Ministries, State Governments, Union Territories and relevant stakeholders. Implementation of activities under the Menstrual Hygiene Scheme are regularly monitored and reviewed through NHM review mechanisms, including appraisal of State Programme Implementation Plans (SPIPs), periodic programme reviews, and reporting through the Health Management Information System (HMIS). The Government continues to work closely with States and Union Territories to strengthen coordination, awareness generation, and equitable access to menstrual hygiene services through existing national programmes and schemes. *****