Government woman employees can now avail of child care leave for less than 15 days

NEW DELHI: Women employees of the Central government can now avail of child care leave (CCL) for less than 15 days at a stretch to attend to their children's needs including examinations and sickness. This follows an order issued by the department of personnel and training on Thursday, doing away with the requirement of minimum period of 15 days' CCL.

Recalling that "several references from various quarters" had been received seeking a review of the stipulation allowing child care leave for a minimum period of 15 days, DoPT undersecretary S G Mulchandaney, in an office memorandum, on Thursday said that "the matter had been considered in consultation with the department of expenditure, and it has been decided to remove the requirement of minimum period of 15 days' CCL". The other conditions for CCL will remain unchanged.

The new CCL rule will be implemented with immediate effect.

The Central government had in 2008, consequent to recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, introduced child care leave for its women employees for a maximum period of two years during their entire service, subject to clearance by a competent authority. Women are allowed to avail of CCL to take care of up to two minor children, whether for rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness etc.

CCL can be availed of in spells, though as per a 2010 order, such spells may not exceed 3 in a given year.

Only recently, the Supreme Court had held that a Central government employee could avail of uninterrupted child care leave for the stipulated two years, or 730 days.