New Delhi, September 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court has issued show-cause notices to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories, seeking an explanation for their failure to file reply affidavits or compliance reports in a PIL seeking wider access to affordable menstrual hygiene products.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymala Bagchi and V. Mohana took note that despite notices being served on all States, none of the respondents had filed the required responses.
“As per the Office Report, all the States have been duly served. However, none of the Respondents have come forward with their reply affidavit(s)/compliance report(s),” the Bench said in its order.
The court directed that show-cause notices be issued to the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs, asking why costs of Rs 25,000 should not be imposed on each State or Union Territory for failing to comply with its directions.
The PIL, filed through advocate Filza Moonis, seeks directions to make Jan Aushadhi Suvidha oxo-biodegradable sanitary napkins available through the Fair Price Shop network to ration card holders covered under the National Food Security Act, 2013.
The petitioner, a senior citizen and social worker, has argued that the existing network of Jan Aushadhi Kendras does not adequately cover rural and economically weaker sections. In contrast, Fair Price Shops operate across villages and localities and already serve the same population.
According to the petition, there were 4,78,773 Fair Price Shops under the Public Distribution System as of April 14, 2026, compared with 19,294 Jan Aushadhi Kendras, making the Fair Price Shop network nearly 24 times larger.
The plea cites National Family Health Survey data and other government material to highlight continuing gaps in access to menstrual hygiene products, particularly among rural and economically disadvantaged adolescent girls.
It also refers to the Jan Aushadhi Suvidha sanitary napkin scheme launched in 2018, under which the price of sanitary napkins was subsequently reduced to Re 1 per pad.
The petitioner has relied on the Supreme Court’s judgment in Dr Jaya Thakur v. Government of India, which recognised menstrual health as an integral component of the right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution.
The plea seeks integration of affordable sanitary napkin distribution with the Fair Price Shop network, invoking constitutional provisions including Articles 14, 15(3), 21, 21A and 47, along with obligations under the National Food Security Act.
The Supreme Court had initially issued notice on the petition on July 14, making it returnable on September 7.
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