Bihar Govt provides sanitary napkins to ‘boys’

In Saran district of the state, the `unusual extension' of the scheme was found to have occurred at Halkori Sah High School, a co-ed government school in Manjhi block.

Bihar Government’s scheme to provide free sanitary pads to adolescent girls enrolled in state government run schools seems to have gained un-intentioned male beneficiaries.

In 2015, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced free distribution of sanitary napkins among girls in government schools in an effort to check their drop out rate and to improve health and hygiene. Under the scheme Mukhyamantri Kishori Swasthya Karyakram-- school girls from class VIII to X are provided Rs 150 each annually, to buy sanitary napkins for their personal use.

Around Rs 60 crore is annually spent for the purpose by the state government. Around 37 lakh girls students of government schools benefit from the scheme

In Saran district of the state, the `unusual extension' of the scheme was found to have occurred at Halkori Sah High School, a co-ed government school in Manjhi block.

Headmaster of the school detected these irregularities in the utilization of funds, under the scheme. Ajay Kumar Singh, District Education Officer (DEO) said: “The headmaster in his report to the competent authority informed that at least seven boys of the school were allegedly distributed funds (Rs. 150 each annually) for sanitary napkin during the 2016-17.”

Two member committee has been constituted to probe the matter and appropriate disciplinary action will be initiated against the erring public servants on the basis of findings of the committee.

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