Bhubaneswar: The state government has decided to take up the role of a pad man in schools across the state.

After free school uniforms and bicycles for school students, chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced yet another populist scheme - free sanitary napkins for girls studying between classes VI and XII.

Launching the scheme 'Khushi', Naveen said it would benefit 17 lakh girls studying in government and government-aided schools in Odisha.

"I am sure this step will go a long way in promoting health and hygiene among school-going adolescent girls leading to higher retention in school and greater empowerment of women," Naveen said.

Health minister Pratap Jena said the provision of free sanitary napkins for schoolgirls would cost the state exchequer Rs 70 crore.

Sanitary napkins will also be provided free to new mothers or those who undergo abortion at the government health care institutions. Sanitary napkin packets will be sold through government channels in the state. Each pack of six napkins has been priced at Rs 6, Jena said.

Quoting the findings of various surveys, Jena said: "Most adolescent girls and women usually follow traditional methods during menstruation and do not pay importance to hygiene. We have, therefore, launched Khushi."