Rs 47 Crores Budget Approved For SUCHI Scheme To Provide Sanitary Napkins For School Girls, State Tells Karnataka High Court

A division bench of Justice B V Nagarathna and Justice P Krishna Bhat had on July 29, directed the Commissioner to personally remain present before the court and place on record the progress that has been made in the implementation of SUCHI scheme. Pursuant to the order, the Commissioner appeared before the court and informed that,

"Finance department has already approved the budget of Rs 47 crore for implementation of SUCHI scheme in the state, which is the provision for hygiene products for adolescent girls in the age group 10 to 19 years."

He added that

"Since there is already technical and financial approval in place, the cabinet will have to approve said scheme formally and thereafter further steps will have to be taken inviting tenders from interested parties for procurement of hygiene products for adolescent girls."

The court recorded his statement that the tender process would take a stipulated time under the provisions of the Karnataka Transparency In Public Procurements Act. All efforts would be made to make procurement as fast as possible and once stocks are received, there would be distribution of the same to adolescent girl students in government and aided institutions. The commissioner said "The department is interested in implementing the SUCHI scheme in right earnest."

The court recorded his statement and posted the matter for further hearing on August 19, in order to ascertain upon the cabinet approval for the said scheme and steps taken for implementation by the department. The court orally told the Commissioner "We wanted to impress upon you that this scheme is quite unique, if you implement it, this is a case of empowerment of girl students."

Under the scheme, sanitary napkins are distributed to adolescent girls studying in schools and staying in hostels between the age group of 10 to 19 years. A total of 17,06,933 adolescent girls are beneficiaries of the scheme in the state. However, during the years 2019-20, 2020-21, procurement of sanitary napkins to be distributed to adolescent girls was not made on account of financial constraint.

The direction was given during the hearing of a petition filed by Anti Corruption Council of India. The petition filed in the year 2018 had prayed for the issuance of a writ of mandamus or directions to the respondents to conduct physical inspection of schools, and to file reports. Further, it was pleaded that the court may direct the respondents to provide adequate infrastructure and facilities to students, teachers and staff in Government Aided Schools.Additionally, as per the petition, respondents were required to conduct regular health check-up programmes for students in Government Schools. Some vaccination drives should be provided free of cost to poor and downtrodden students.

Most importantly, the petition called for strict implementation of the Suchi Scheme on funding the government schools for the supply of sanitary napkins.

Case Title: Anti Corruption Council of India v. The Secretary to Government