the goan I network
MAPUSA
Walking the talk on the Swachh Bharat mission, the Siolim-Marna panchayat has decided to install sanitary napkin incinerators in the village and if they succeed it will be the first panchayat to take up such project in the State.
The panchayat body has already taken a resolution in its fortnightly meeting to purchase 10 such incinerators.
The local self-governing body will now place the proposal before the gram sabha, on October 2 where it is expected to get passed unanimously.
“The purpose is to create awareness on hygiene among the younger generation who face a lot of difficulty while disposing the sanitary napkins,” said Govind Khalap, secretary of the panchayat.
“Siolim-Marna is the first panchayat to take a resolution on such issue,” he
added.
He said they were negotiating with the manufacturer on the price, as the panchayat will be buying 10 such machines.
The secretary disclosed that initially two incinerators each will be installed in three schools – SFX, Keerthi Vidhayalaya and Vasant Vidhayalaya.
He said another four will be fixed on trial basis in some building complexes in the
village.
A member of the village development committee (VDC), Gregory D’Souza informed that the idea to set up such incinerators was proposed in the VDC meeting.
“Sanitation is one part of the Swachh Bharat programme and as a member of the sanitation committee I had proposed the idea,” D’Souza said, adding that the work will be taken up under the Gram Panchayat Development Plan.
Recently, the village panchayat child committee in association with Siolim-Marna panchayat and My Siolim: The Environment and Heritage Club organised a talk on personal hygiene, menstrual cycle and the use of the sanitary napkin incinerator.
Giving a demonstration on the use of the incinerator, Gopal Krishna of S M Engineering, Mumbai showed how to dispose the napkins and the technical settings of the machine.
He also informed that
the company has installed such machines at various corporate offices and colleges, but this would be the
first panchayat if it decided to install the incinerators in Goa.
Dr Umali Kerkar from Siolim PHC gave a talk on personal hygiene during menstrual cycle and the use of sanitary napkins to students of St Francis Xavier’s High School Siolim, parents, members of the mahila mandals and panchayat members.
