HCKochi: In a landmark judgment, the Kerala High Court has given a shot in the arm to workplace parity by ruling that the women in central government jobs can avail of child care leave (CCL) in parts or whole as desired. The 6th pay commission had granted 730 days of paid leave as CCL to women employed in central service. This can be availed for up to two children anytime before they attain majority.
The court observed that the discretion on when to avail the leave rested solely on the mother. The High Court also pointed out that as per a Supreme Court order, there was no provision in the law that dictated how the leave could be availed.
The court made the observation in a petition submitted by CRPF constable S. Beena, whose application for a six-month extension of her child care leave was rejected. Her office rejected her plea, asking her to report for work and then reapply for the child care leave.
The court observed that the stand taken by the CRPF authorities cannot be justified as the mother held the unilateral right to decide the care needs of her child.
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