UDAAN Scheme Halts: Karauli Women Forced to Use Cloth as Free Pads Stop

• The UDAAN scheme's free sanitary pad supply has been halted in Karauli, Rajasthan, since 2024, affecting millions of women.
• Beneficiaries, like Neelam Devi, who relied on monthly free pads, are now forced to use cloth, increasing infection risks.
• The scheme previously provided two packets of sanitary pads monthly at Anganwadi centers to over 2 lakh women aged 18-45.
• Anganwadi workers face daily questions from women, unable to provide pads due to the lack of supply.
• CDPO Jagdish Meena confirmed the cessation is a "high-level decision," with the last supply in Karauli in August 2024.

Why It Matters: Closure of UDAAN scheme leaves 2 lakh Karauli women without free sanitary pads, forcing unsafe alternatives.