CUTTACK: Showing sensitivity toward the needs of women, Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) has installed sanitary napkin vending machines in the city. It is first of its kind of initiative by any municipal corporation in the state.In first phase, two such vending machines have been installed; one at Biswanath Pandit Central library and second one at the shelter home located inside Sishu Bhawan premises, the government run premier pediatric hospital.Along with the sanitary napkin vending machines, incinerators have also been installed, which will dispose of used napkins in a hygienic manner. CMC has spent at least Rs 1 lakh from its own coffers in installing the two sets of machines.CMC officials said library and the shelter home attract hundreds of women visitors daily hence on a priority basis these two places were selected for installation of vending machines. Many girl students throng the CMC run library for reading while many women, whose children undergo treatment at Sishu Bhawan, stay at the shelter home. CMC officials said in view of the stigma and social taboo associated with sanitary napkins, majority of the adolescent girls and women hesitate to go to the shops to buy sanitary napkins, which are often manned and crowded by men. Even proper disposal of sanitary napkin is a major issue as people often throw it in the open. “The vending machines and incinerators will be very helpful for women and it will also help us to improve sanitation situation in the city,” said deputy commissioner of CMC, Nirupama Swain.The machine has been installed with the help of HLL Lifecare, a Centre owned corporation. CMC commissioner Gyana Das said if the machine gets good response then the civic body will install few more machines at necessary public places.