Odisha cabinet approves 'Khushi' to provide free sanitary napkins

The Odisha cabinet on Friday approved Khushi scheme to provide free sanitary napkins to school girls across the state.

The government has decided to spend Rs 466.08 crore in 5 years to improve menstrual hygiene among adolescent girl students of the state.

Under the scheme, the state will provide free sanitary napkins to 17.25 lakh girls studying in Classes 6 to 12 in government and government-aided schools, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawaharlal Navodaya Vidyalayas located in the state, said chief secretary A.P. Padhi.

Each girl will be provided 18 numbers of beltless sanitary napkins per month, he added.

The scheme will be implemented by the health and family welfare department of the state.

The state cabinet also approved piped water supply projects in Baudh district under Basudha scheme. A total of 2.92 lakh people in two blocks of the district will be provided drinking water by spending Rs 427.59 crore.

The government will spend Rs 555.42 crore for rural piped water supply projects, which will benefit 3.17 lakh people in four blocks of Nabarangpur district.

The cabinet also approved a scholarship scheme for children of beneficiaries of Krushak Assistance for Livelihood and Income Augmentation (KALIA) scheme.

The children, who are either studying or aspiring for technical and professional education, would be benefited, said Padhi.

--IANS

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