NCW demands explanation from IAS officer who’s reply on sanitary pads sparked controversy

On Wednesday, when a girl student in Bihar asked why the government didn’t provide them with sanitary pads, Bihar’s Women Development Corporation (WDC) Managing Director Harjot Kaur Bamhrah couldn’t control herself but gave a weirdly uncomfortable answer.

National Commission for Women has asked for an explanation from the bureaucrat over her reply to a Bihar school student. The commission came into action a day after the reply by an IAS officer in Bihar to a student’s question on sanitary pads sparked a row. Taking cognizance of the matter, NCW has sought a written explanation from the bureaucrat within seven days.

On Wednesday, when a girl student in Bihar asked why the government didn’t provide them with sanitary pads, Bihar’s Women Development Corporation (WDC) Managing Director Harjot Kaur Bamhrah couldn’t control herself but gave a weirdly uncomfortable answer.

During the workshop, a student asked: “When the government has been doing so many things for us, including giving us uniforms and scholarships, why cannot it give sanitary pads, which would cost only Rs 20-30?”

“They (students) will demand jeans, good shoes and finally contraceptives for family planning” was Bamhrah’s response to the girl. When the girl argued that the government was duty-bound to give them certain facilities as politicians seek votes, the IAS officer quipped: “Mat do tum vote, sarkar tumhari hai. Ban jao Pakistan (do not vote, its your government. Become Pakistan). Do you vote in lieu of money or amenities?” the bureaucrat said.  

As the audience appreciated the question with clapping, Bamhrah replied: “Those clapping should know that there is no end to such demands. The question is if the government gives sanitary pads…there will be demand for jeans…shoes tomorrow, and finally, there could be demand for free contraceptives for family planning.”

The IAS officer said one shouldn’t be demanding everything from the government. “The government has been giving so many things…expecting everything from the government is wrong,” she said.

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