Rastriya Swatantra Samajwadi Party MP Yadav Urges Government to Immediately Remove Tax on Sanitary Pads

Rastriya Swatantra Samajwadi Party (Raswapa) MP Purushottam Yadav has appealed to the government to immediately repeal the tax imposed on essential sanitary pads for women. He criticized the state for turning menstruation into a revenue source, stating that such actions strip the government of the moral right to speak on women’s empowerment. Yadav described the tax on sanitary pads as a symbol of state insensitivity and contrary to the principles of social justice. 5 Jestha, Kathmandu.

During the House of Representatives meeting on Tuesday, Yadav drew the Speaker’s attention to the issue, emphasizing that menstruation is not a desire but a natural necessity for women. He highlighted that having access to hygiene and health during menstruation is a fundamental right and a matter of respect for every woman. Yadav asserted that a state seeking to make menstruation a source of tax revenue loses the moral standing to advocate for women’s empowerment and equality.

The MP recommended increasing excise taxes on harmful products such as cigarettes and alcohol, which adversely affect public health, while stating that levying taxes on sanitary pads — directly linked to women’s health — demonstrates the government’s serious insensitivity. He added, “On one hand, there are grand speeches about women’s empowerment and gender equality; on the other hand, imposing taxes on basic essential items like sanitary pads contradicts the principles of social justice. This is not merely an economic issue but also a matter of women’s dignity, health, and equal opportunity.”