THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of ensuring proper disposal of menstrual waste and promote Swachh Bharat Mission, University Grant Commission(UGC) recently issued a circular asking all universities and affiliated colleges to install sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators.
In a letter issued to the Vice-Chancellors of universities and colleges on June 21, 2017, UGC secretary Dr Jaspal S Sandhu said, “In an effort to promote proper disposal of menstrual waste and promote Swachh Bharat Mission, it is imperative that we take the initiative to promote menstrual sanitation and proper disposal of menstrual waste by creating awareness, encouraging every woman to use eco-friendly incinerators and promoting research for a biodegradable alternative.”
“You are requested to consider the installation of the incinerators on the premises of women hostels,” he said in the letter.
University of Calicut Student’s Welfare Dean P V Valsarajan said the university has installed incinerator as per the notification at the women’s hostel and has also taken appropriate steps to ensure that the machine functions without any complaints. “We have specifically appointed a technical staff to oversee proper functioning of all electrical equipment including the incinerator at the women’s hostel. All guidelines issued by the UGC should be followed by all universities and colleges,” he said.
Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College Principal T Ramachandran said, “The direction to install sanitary napkin vending machines and incinerators at women’s hostels as part of Swachh Bharath Mission is very good decision. It aims at ensuring hygienic disposal of napkins.”
Zamorin’s Guruvayurappan College has a sizable strength of girls students and this prompted the authorities to implement the directive at the earliest. “We have already installed a vending machine and incinerator at an exclusive refreshment room set up for them in the campus. The women’s council for students are also conducting regular awareness programmes on proper disposal of sanitary napkins. We will also be installing the machine at our new hostel,” he said.