Is Centre's 'Ujjwala Sanitary Napkin' scheme a ploy to counter Odisha govt's 'Khushi'?

Bhubaneswar: The Centre today inaugurated 'Ujjwala Sanitary Napkins' manufacturing units in Odisha which is being seen as an attempt to counter the 'Khushi' scheme launched by the State government.

In the first phase, 100 manufacturing units will start operating with the joint effort of Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Common Service Centres (CSC).

As per reports, the scheme will cover 93 blocks in 30 districts of the State. In the upcoming days, nearly 5000 young women will be employed across 500 centres.

Speaking about the newly launched scheme, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said that it will go a long way in making the State’s women empowered and self-reliant.

"The sanitary manufacturing units will make women of the State self-sufficient and create health awareness," Pradhan stated.

At least 10 women will be able to get employment at each centre, he added.

On the other hand, BJD spokesperson Samir Das accused BJP of giving false promises.

“After BJD came to power in the State under the leadership of Naveen Patnaik in 2000, women have been self sufficient. The ‘jumla’ of BJP and the Union minister will not work here,” Das said.

Sources said each facility will have the capacity to produce 1,200 to 2,000 pads per day and will have a sterilisation room to ensure that the napkins are sterilised before they are packed.

It is pertinent to mention that the State government had launched in the 'Khushi' scheme in February under which free sanitary napkins are provided to girls studying in Classes 6 to 12 in government and government-aided schools. The State government is also providing napkins to women in rural communities at subsidised rates.