In a first instance of 'gender sensitive' budgeting, the government has sanctioned exclusive funds to the country's largest paramilitary force CRPF to procure and install over 500 sanitary pad dispensers and incinerators for its women personnel in combat.

The cost of one sanitary pad vending machine is estimated to be about Rs 25,000, a burning machine about Rs 40,000 and a cloth drying stand Rs 3,000, the Home Ministry order said. The expenditure will be met from the "approved budget grant" of the force, it said. "The sanction will help the force in ensuring better living and operating conditions for the over 8,000 women personnel who are in combat.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has also been authorised to purchase 783 steel frame stands for drying clothes for all its six 'mahila' battalions, 15 special anti-riot units of the Rapid Action Force and training institutions. The sanctioned funds, which were authorised by the Union Home Ministry, stands at Rs 2,10,69, 000, as per order.

In a first instance of 'gender sensitive' budgeting, the government has sanctioned exclusive funds to the country's largest paramilitary force CRPF to procure and install over 500 sanitary pad dispensers and incinerators for its women personnel in combat.

The cost of one sanitary pad vending machine is estimated to be about Rs 25,000, a burning machine about Rs 40,000 and a cloth drying stand Rs 3,000, the Home Ministry order said. The expenditure will be met from the "approved budget grant" of the force, it said. "The sanction will help the force in ensuring better living and operating conditions for the over 8,000 women personnel who are in combat.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has also been authorised to purchase 783 steel frame stands for drying clothes for all its six 'mahila' battalions, 15 special anti-riot units of the Rapid Action Force and training institutions. The sanctioned funds, which were authorised by the Union Home Ministry, stands at Rs 2,10,69, 000, as per order.