Women employee denied childcare leave; Rajasthan high court seeks explanation from govt

Jaipur: Rajasthan high court has sought an explanation from the state government on why a Grade – III woman government teacher was being denied child care leave to help her son with his studies. The Rajasthan government had announced child care leave for working women, but it seems the authorities are not complying with the rules and depriving women employees of the benefit.

Read also: Childcare leave (CCL) for Rajasthan government’s women employees: All you need to know

The Rajasthan High court issued a show-cause notice to Education Secretary, Secondary Education Director, District Education Officer and secondary school of Ramji Pura Art Panchayat Samiti of Sambhar Lake in Jaipur district and sought a response.

Judge Indrajeet Singh issued the show cause notice on a petition filed by one Sarita Sharma.

Advocate DP Sharma said that Sarita Sharma was appointed as Grade – 3 teacher. She submitted an application to the Education Department for granting him child care leave from July 18 to October 25 for her son’s education. Sarita’s son is a class 10 student and she needed child care leave to help him with his studies.

Advocate Sharma argued before the court that the government had made a provision on May 22 2018, in which female employees are entitled to take 730 days of childcare leaves.

Amending the Rajasthan Service Rules, a woman government employee can take child care leave for a maximum period of two years (730 days) during their service life for taking care of two children. The leave can be used for different purposes such as prolonged illness, examination and other reasons. For taking the leave, the child should be aged below 18 years. In the case of children with disability, the leave can be availed till the child is 22.