Sanitary napkins were subject to a 12% GST rate. As of 21st July 2018, sanitary napkins are completely exempt from taxation. It was considered a significant victory. Consumers, however, received minimal benefits from the program. Manufacturers were denied ITCs due to the exemption of output GST. As a result, with no difference in manufacturing costs, the manufacturers cannot pass on additional price benefits to consumers.
Sanitary napkins are essential for girls and women. It ensures the wellness of their health and hygiene. When there is a lack of access, it can affect their health and various factors in their life. The authorities are taking several steps to make it available nationwide. But are some ongoing debates about the GST on sanitary pads. The tax on sanitary pads in India makes it difficult for many women to afford them. These women belong to the rural and even urban areas. The tax on sanitary napkins is spoiling the whole purpose of it.
Did you know?
- Sanitary pads are not made of cotton. Instead, they are bleached in cotton to provide a soft base.
- It should be changed every 5 hours.
- A woman uses 14,000-18,000 sanitary pads in her lifetime.
- Nearly 70% of intimate disorders/sicknesses occur due to the unhealthy use of sanitary napkins.
What Are Sanitary Napkins?
A sanitary napkin or sanitary pad is a thin layer of absorbent material. It is capable enough to soak up menstrual flow even during heavy flow. Some pads are disposable. You can use it for a single time only. But different varieties are appearing in the market. There are some that you can easily reuse. The reusable ones are made of cotton, which you can wash after use. With time the demand for the former is rising. People are now interested in sanitary napkins prices before and after GST. They are also curious to know the best sanitary pads in India in 2021, which can give them access to better health and hygiene.
Why Do You Need Sanitary Napkins?
Using sanitary napkins is nothing new. It has been in existence since the 10th century. In 1888 a group of nurses came up with the idea of sanitary napkins. The idea was to use soldiers' materials to cover their wounds. Later on, absorbent pads from cotton wool came into existence. This method was an effective one for many. It is because, before the existence of such pads, women were using a lot of hazardous materials. This includes paper, moss, sand, grass, etc. In the 1800s, women were also using sanitary belts. The idea was to clip the napkin to the belt and use it on the waist. Women were using it till the late 90s. After this period, Johnson and Johnson started selling the lister's towels or sanitary napkins. But women needed to be more eager to use it.
Women started using sanitary napkins during their menstruation. It protects them from staining and restricts blood flow. It absorbs quickly, which gives women the comfort to go by their day quickly. They can carry out their daily activities with ease. Women no longer have to stay in their rooms like in the old times. With the use of sanitary napkins, they can move about freely. They no longer will have to feel wet and uncomfortable all the time during their menstrual cycle. But the latest awareness campaigns have started the debate. Many women are eager to discuss the gst sanitary napkins, which is refraining them from using them.
The sanitary napkins GST rate is making the whole purpose of such campaigns obsolete. It is even taking away from the vitality of these products for women. There are also campaigns where they play how to use whisper in periods live demos.
Read More: GST Rate & HSN Code for Miscellaneous manufactured articles - Chapter 96
Need for Removal of Tax on Sanitary Napkins in India
The tax on sanitary napkins in India is unreasonable and seems unfair. With the ongoing debate about family planning, Women empowerment, etc., taxing a bare necessity product seems unfair. It restricts women from using it in the lower class and rural areas.
Issues Caused by GST on Sanitary Napkins: The GST pad is causing women to go back to the old ways. It has even sparked new concerns for the well-being of their health. Women in rural areas suffer from diseases due to using unhygienic menstrual products. The napkin HSN code and GST rate were at 12% initially. Further tax on sanitary napkins started enraging people when the analysis of other exempt products began.
Empowerment through GST Exemption: The exemption of GST on sanitary napkins also empowers women economically. Women and girls can now save a lot. For example, there are students whose daily expenditure needs to be lowered. If the cost of sanitary napkins gets similarly high, then it would be difficult for them to afford them.
Economic Impact and Savings: Exemption of sanitary napkins' gst rate can help them in the long run. For instance, the nine pads price or a packet was almost 150/-. Women pr girls require 5-6 such packets to make it comfortably through the week. The cost compelled them to seek unsanitary ways.
Exemption of GST on Sanitary Pads
The exemption is evident from the sanitary napkins price before and after GST. The authorities have gotten rid of it altogether. There is now a 0% tax on sanitary napkins. But still, there are some concerns. The raw materials manufacturers use to make sanitary napkins are not free of GST rates. For example, there is an 18% GST on glue and Polyethylene film. The exemption on sanitary napkins began in 2018. Although it was a win for all women and girls, it did not benefit them greatly. The exemption of GST deprived manufacturers of ITC. Thus, the manufacturers did not benefit in any manner from ye products. They could not reflect the advantages that come with profits on the consumer. Even the best sanitary pads in India in 2020 were exempted, but the manufacturers could not make a profit. But the exemption was an essential aspect of women's empowerment in India. It pursued women to come out and voice their concerns. There were discussions about a vital part of women's health which was previously a taboo for many. It urged many well-known brands to lower their costs. For example, the Stayfree tampons price in India or whisper tampons price in India lessened due to Government initiatives.
How to Use Sanitary Napkins Easily?
There are some campaigns where that talk about more than just the napkin HSN code and GST rate. They also show how to use whisper-in periods live demo. We have tried to put the exact info words in a proper manner below:
1. Choose The Best Sanitary Napkins
Some factors can help you decide which pad to choose. The Stayfree rate or Whisper tampons rate is secondary. The first point is to look for pads with appropriate thickness. This will result in better absorption. Several brands are now selling thin but highly absorbent pads. You can opt for any one of those. It is also essential to choose the shape that will best suit you.
2. Get in Position
Some people feel the need to change when they visit the toilet. But it is not only necessary to do it then. It is essential to keep changing after six hours to ensure better health and hygiene. It will also make you feel dry and comfortable. Thus, you must get a fresh set of underwear. Then wash your hands and sit down to change your napkins efficiently.
3. Get Rid of Wrappers or Boxes
You can easily throw away the boxes or wrappers that the pads come in. But it is always better to keep the wrappers for using them while throwing away the pads. It is better to wrap them in these and then dispose of them.
4. Fold the Flaps and Remove the Sticker
Some ladies' pads come with flaps or wings. These give extra protection. You can easily fold them in and remove the sticker on the back. It will expose the adhesive in the centre, making it easy to stick to the underwear.
5. Stick the Pads
It would help to place the pad perfectly on your underwear to ensure it sticks properly. You have to centre it appropriately so it does not cause any staining.
How To Select The Best Sanitary Napkin?
Here are some pointers to keep in mind while selecting a sanitary napkin.
1. Good Absorbent
In the initial days of the menstrual cycle, women experience heavy flow. Large amounts of blood flow out. They must choose a pad that can contain it all. It must also avoid backflow.
2. Length and Flow
Choosing the right length and absorbency of the menstrual pad is vital. For nighttime use, opt for a longer pad to ensure ample protection.
3. Material Comfort
Sanitary napkins are now available in different materials. For example, pro ease pad distributors said that some have plastic nets, while others are made up of cotton. Likewise, women and girls have different skin types.
Read More: Exempted goods under GST
Conclusion
The GST on sanitary pads stirred a lot of controversy in India. It did affect the manufacturers vastly and caused financial losses. But its benefits supersede the losses. The tax exemption from GST on pads made women overcome their insecurities and voice their opinions. It even made them realise that talking about menstruation is not taboo. It is now making better health and hygiene more accessible for women in rural areas and villages. It is an excellent step towards furthering women's empowerment.
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