LG admin to procure 3 lakh biodegradable sanitary pads from self help groups in Ladakh

Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, has granted sanction for the procurement of 3 lakh biodegradable sanitary napkins from women Self Help Groups (SHGs) in a move aimed at promoting women's health, rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability.

The approval has been granted for procurement from Sakhi Zamo village organisation, a women-led group supported by the Indian Army and registered under the Ladakh Rural Livelihood Mission, officials said.

The decision was taken after the intervention of the LG, following delays due to increased costs.

Officials said a total of 13 lakh sanitary pads (8 pads per pack) are being distributed every month to adolescent girls aged 13-18 years. ''Out of this, 3 lakh pads will now be sourced from the local SHG unit, while the remaining 10 lakh will be procured through open tender.''.

The lieutenant governor approved the procurement at revised rates, noting that strengthening women-led SHGs is crucial for sustainable rural livelihoods and community empowerment in Ladakh.

He also highlighted that promotion of local manufacturing units would directly benefit women entrepreneurs in remote areas.

The biodegradable sanitary napkins produced by the SHG are eco-friendly and designed to minimise environmental impact in the ecologically fragile region of Ladakh, they said.

''The proposal regarding procurement of biodegradable sanitary pads had been pending for some time and has now been approved, keeping in view the larger interests of women's health and empowering women-led SHGs. Women's health and hygiene remain a priority for the UT Administration, and environmental preservation must go hand in hand with development initiatives in Ladakh,'' the LG said.

The procurement, approved under the National Health Mission (NHM), will be executed at a cost of Rs 15 lakh, with each pad priced at Rs 5. The supply will be made over a period of 10 months at a monthly rate of 30,000 pads, they said.

The Sakhi Ama Tsogspa BIONAP sanitary napkin unit at Martselang village in Leh, established under Operation Sadbhavana of the Indian Army's Fire and Fury Corps, has emerged as a model of civil-military synergy. The unit has generated direct employment for 26 women, including spouses of serving and retired Army personnel.

Officials said the Sakhi Zamo Village Organisation comprises three SHGs engaged in livelihood activities aimed at strengthening rural economic self-reliance and women empowerment in the region.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)