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Highlights

• Government of Maharashtra has launched ASMITA Scheme for school-going girls in Maharashtra.
• The objective of this scheme is to improve health and hygiene of girls by providing sanitary napkins at subsidized rate, resulting in a reduction of the school dropout rate.
• The government has partnered with YES BANK for the development of Asmita app and mobile wallet which is helping in digitizing subsidy payments.
• Digitization of the process is likely to increase usage of sanitary napkins in the state from 17% to 70%

YES BANK’s Solution

Under the Asmita scheme, Self Help Groups (SHGs) can buy sanitary napkins directly from the Government appointed manufacturers at subsidized rates through ASMITA mobile app developed by YES BANK and make direct payments through a wallet integrated within the app. SHGs can load money in the wallet by visiting the nearest Aple Sarkar center (Citizen Facilitation Centre). SHGs can then sell the napkins at subsidized rates to school going girls who have been issued the ASMITA Card by the Government of Maharashtra. The process will ensure wider distribution of sanitary napkins in rural pockets of the state. The entire subsidy management between government, SHGs and manufacturer is seamlessly carried out by YES BANK’s digital cash management solution.

Impact of the Solution

Asmita scheme will be pivotal in revolutionizing payments for the health segment in India, along with enabling end-to-end automation of subsidy payments in Maharashtra. It will help in augmenting participation of women in the workforce. With health & hygiene bound to improve, the school dropout rates will also reduce. It is estimated that the scheme will benefit close to 7.25 lakh women and girls. Moreover, the usage of sanitary napkins across Maharashtra is expected to increase from 17% to 70%.