THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
Profit-making Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) should earmark a part of their surplus revenue for social welfare schemes under their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives and this has been the policy of the state Government, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies, Consumer Affairs and Legal Metrology G R Anil said today.
The Minister was inaugurating the distribution of Menstrual Cup (M-Cup) for girl students in schools in the Nedumangad assembly constituency, funded by the public sector Kerala Feeds Ltd (KFL) as part of its health and hygiene awareness programme ‘Surakshith’ at the Government Girls Higher Secondary School at Nedumangad.
Besides being a leading manufacturer of high-quality livestock feed at affordable prices, KFL has also emerged as a model through its CSR activities focusing on social welfare. Taking cue from KFL, panchayats and urban local bodies should also come forward with women-friendly welfare schemes, Anil said.
Explaining the salient features of Surakshith project, KFL Managing Director Dr B Sreekumar said in the initial phase M-cups will be distributed in schools in 10 assembly constituencies across the state. The company had found budget for this from its CSR fund for 2021-22. The project is being implemented in association with the Central Public Sector HLL Lifecare. Students of 8th to 12th classes of 13-17 age group in selected schools across the state will benefit from the scheme.
The M-cup being distributed by KFL is made of environment-friendly medical grade silicone, as an alternative to costly and non-biodegradable sanitary napkins. These M-cups guarantee safety for its users for 8 to 10 hours, and can be kept for up to 10 years.
Of the total 15000 M-cups to be delivered through the scheme, 4000 will be distributed to students in nine schools in Nedumangad assembly segment.
Chairperson, Nedumangad Municipality, C S Sreeja presided over the function.
President, Karakulam Grama Panchayat, U Lekha Rani; President, Vembayam Grama Panchayat, Beena Jayan; President Andoorkonam Grama Panchayat, S Harikumar; DEO of Attingal Bindu G I; Principal, GHSS Nedumangad, Neetha Nair R; and PTA President P Ajayakumar were also present on the occasion.
Dr Krishna, Deputy Project Manager, HLL, conducted an awareness class for students about the use of M-Cups.
