Jagan Launches Free Sanitary Pad Distribution

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jaganmohan Reddy today took part in celebrations to mark International Women's Day at his camp office. He also cut a cake in the presence of his women cabinet colleagues and several women officials of the state on the occasion.

Conveyeing his wishes to all the women of the state, he said, "There is no yardstick by which the immeasurable contributions of the women of the country and the state can be calibrated. Recognising the importance of bolstering such endeavours, in my 21-month-long rule, my government and I have introduced several welfare programs aimed at empowering the women in AP. Schemes like Amma Vodi, YSR Cheyutha, YSR Asara, YSR Sampoorna Poshana and YSR Kapu Nestham have been introduced to help the women of the state. We have also provided 50% reservations for women in nominated governmental posts. Women's welfare and development is our priority."

Referring to the 2011 Census, he pointed out that 40% of the women in AP were still deprived of education, and that the YSR Congress Party regime's Amma Vodi scheme was brought in to help eradicate illiteracy among the underprivileged women.

Elaborating further, Jagan said, "We have spent Rs 13,220 crore under the Amma Vodi scheme. Over five years, a total of Rs 32,500 crore will be spent on it. We also spent Rs 4,604 crore under the YSR Cheyutha scheme and Rs 27,000 crore on housing sites for women. A total of Rs 80,000 crore has been allocated for women's education, for the welfare of SC/ST/OBC/minority castes women, and for the YSR Asara scheme, in the last 21 months. We have also set up Disha police stations in all the 13 districts of our state."

The CM then announced that his government would introduce a special budget for women's welfare for the upcoming fiscal year (2021-22), and that the state would also set up committees in all the government and private workplaces with more than ten women employees to prevent workplace exploitation and harassment.

Later, he flagged off 900 Disha patrol vehicles and 18 Disha crime scene management vehicles. He inaugurated cyber kiosks which link GPS systems with the Disha app's response teams as well.

In a move that will help many adolescent girls in the state in a meaningful way, the CM also launched a scheme for the free distribution of sanitary napkins to girls of grades 7 to 12 studying in government educational institutions.