Bombay High Court asks State whether scheme on menstrual sanitation in schools has led to any change

The Bombay High Court Wednesday asked the Maharashtra government to file an affidavit showing whether there have been changes on the ground as regards menstrual sanitation in public schools. [Nikita Gore & Anr v. Union of India & Ors.].Additional government pleader Bhupesh Samant informed the Court that there was a scheme on menstrual sanitation conditions for school children in public schools where even ASHA workers were involved in training on the usage of sanitary napkins.However, the Court asked whether the scheme has led to any changes since the survey by district legal service authority officers showed school toilets in a shocking state. "Where is the change? What has happened post-implementation of this scheme? File an affidavit!" the Court said. .The Court was hearing the petition filed by lawyers Nikita Gore and Vaishnavi Gholave seeking directions to recognise sanitary napkins as an essential commodity and praying for the implementation of the ‘Menstrual Hygiene Management National Guidelines, 2015’..During the hearing today, Samant said that the Aurangabad bench of the High Court had taken suo motu cognizance of concerns over the bad conditions of schools operated by the local authorities. Pursuant to that the Aurangabad bench had ordered the formation of a district-level committee with district judges at the helm to monitor the ‘grim situation’ in government-run schools.The Court, however, was not happy that such matters were requiring court's intervention. "Something which is expected from you is being done by the Principal District Judge (PDJ). Just to ensure that girl children studying there have better facilities! We do not feel very happy to pass such orders involving PDJs in such matters. Look at the condition, it is shocking!" the bench remarked. .The Court had in July 2022 directed authorised representatives to carry out random surprise inspections at fifteen government-aided schools and submit a report by August 22.Pusuant to that, reports were filed by the respective DLSAs. Samant said that since there were 15 reports, it would take some time to examine all reports and take instructions on the same. He however asked the Court to make some observations on the funds required for schools to maintain and upkeep sanitation infrastructure in schools. .The Court, however, refused to make any observation. It instead asked the State government to respond to the reports before December 6 when the matter will be heard next.