University Grants Commission (UGC) has in it’s new circular, asked the varsities and higher educational institutions to install eco-friendly sanitary napkin vending machine as well incinerators in women’s hostel. This step was taken to ensure proper disposal of menstrual waste keeping the point in mind that fact that improper disposal of menstrual waste causes environment and health problems.
“In an effort to promote proposal disposal of menstrual waste and promote the Swachh Bharat Mission, it is needed that we take an initiative encourage every woman to use eco-friendly incinerators and promoting research for a biodegradable alternative,” University Grants Commission (UGC) secretary Jaspal S Sandhu has said in a recent letter to all vice-chancellors. UGC secretary also said that The sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators will be provided by the HLL Lifecare Limited, an enterprise under the administrative control of the Union Health Minister.
The estimated cost for one set of the machine is Rs 49,649 but the expenditure to be incurred can be directly booked under the solid waste management component of the Swachh Bharat Mission as the initiative is inclined towards this objective of the Government of India.
The first vending machine which was installed on the premises of women’s hostel at Jnana Bharathi campus at Bangalore University several years ago is now non-functional. An official of Bangalore University said that they will install a new one.
The management of the colleges were requested to consider the installation of these machines within the premises of girls/women hostels and issue necessary instructions in this regard.
