Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on 28 May wrote to Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, demanding the immediate resumption of the free sanitary napkin distribution programme under the 'I Am Shakti Udan Scheme'. The letter, timed to coincide with Menstrual Hygiene Day, underscores growing concern over the prolonged stalling of a programme that once served millions of women and girls across the state.

What Gehlot Said

In his letter, Gehlot warned that the continued unavailability of free sanitary napkins is pushing adolescent girls and women — particularly in rural and economically weaker sections — toward unsafe alternatives, raising the risk of infections and long-term health complications. He described menstrual hygiene as 'not merely a welfare issue but a matter of women's health, dignity, and equality.'

'No girl or woman should be compelled to compromise her health because of lack of access to basic menstrual hygiene products,' Gehlot said.

Background: The Udan Scheme

The Congress government launched the 'I Am Shakti Udan Scheme' in 2021 with the stated aim of ensuring menstrual hygiene and dignity for women and girls across Rajasthan. At its peak, the initiative provided free sanitary napkins every month to millions of beneficiaries statewide. Gehlot credited the scheme with significantly improving menstrual health awareness and reducing social stigma. 'The scheme launched during our government was designed to empower women and ensure their health and confidence. It is unfortunate that such an important initiative has remained stalled for a long time,' he stated.

Key Demands

The former Chief Minister made three specific demands of the Bhajan Lal Sharma-led state government: restart the Udan Scheme comprehensively; ensure compliance with recent Supreme Court directives on menstrual hygiene; and expand the programme's coverage to all women in Rajasthan. He also called for widespread awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and rural areas to promote menstrual health education.

Wider Context

This comes amid renewed national attention to menstrual health policy, with the Supreme Court having issued directions on the subject in recent months. Rajasthan's Udan Scheme had been cited as a model state-level intervention before its disruption. Critics argue that allowing such programmes to lapse — even through administrative delays — disproportionately harms girls in low-income households who have no private alternative. 'Menstrual hygiene must be treated as a public health priority. The government should act with urgency and sensitivity so that every woman and girl in Rajasthan has access to safe and hygienic menstrual care,' Gehlot added.

The state government is yet to formally respond to the letter. Whether the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led administration chooses to revive, redesign, or ignore the Congress-era scheme will be watched closely by health advocates and opposition leaders alike.