PUNE: The standing committee of PMC approved Rs 50 lakh for the free sanitary napkin scheme on Tuesday, paving way for its roll out in civic schools to benefit 25,000 students.“The state government has initiated a scheme called Asmita, which aims at creating awareness about the use of sanitary napkins among girl students. The PMC’s scheme is also on the same lines,” Yogesh Mulik, chairman of the standing committee, told TOI.The scheme had come up for discussion at the standing committee meeting last week. However, the members could not decide on it as the meeting was adjourned.Civic officials said PMC was also working on a project to install napkin disposal units in the civic schools. “The members of the women and child welfare committee had pointed out at the unscientific disposal of these napkins due to the absence of these machines,” they said.“The unscientific disposal of the napkins could cause health problems for the students as well as the conservancy staff. There is an urgent need for taking efforts for scientific disposal of these napkins,” a senior PMC official said.As per PMC officials, after installation of the disposal units, awareness drives will be carried out to sensitize students about the use of these machines. The civic body has planned a project to install the disposal units in the 16 ward offices across the city. “The details of the locations where the units will be set up will be shared with the civic schools,” the officials said.Due to misconceptions and religious practices, many women do not use sanitary napkins and few can afford them. The PMC runs 310 schools that impart education in various mediums, including Marathi, English, Urdu and Kannada. Around one lakh students study in these schools. Most of them belong to poorer families.

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