Centre proposes change in child care leave policy for women

NEW DELHI: No woman government employee will be refused child care leave for at least five days unless there are grave and extraordinarily compelling circumstances that warrant refusal, according to a proposal by the Centre.

The Department of Personnel and Training ( DoPT) has decided to modify necessary service rules in this regard and sought all ministries comments.

"In cases where a female government servant applies for child care leave for at least five working days, she should normally not be refused leave citing exigencies of work unless there are grave and extraordinarily compelling circumstances that warrant refusal," the proposed change in rules by the DoPT reads.

As per existing rules, women employees having minor children may be granted child care leave for a maximum period of two years (i.e. 730 days) during their entire service for taking care of upto two children whether for rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness.

Child care leave shall not be admissible if the child is eighteen years of age or older, the rules say.

All central government departments have been asked to send their comments on the proposed policy by January 27, the DoPT said.