See if childcare leave can be given to single fathers, Cal HC tells state govt
Times of India | 13 August 2024
Kolkata: Calcutta High Court on Monday directed state govt to decide whether to extend childcare leave — on a par with women — to an employee who is a single father, saying a father is as equally responsible for raising his children as a mother.
Under state govt rules, male employees are allowed 30 days’ leave on account of their kids (paternity leave), while women are entitled to 730 days (childcare leave).
Justice Amrita Sinha was hearing a petition by Md Abu Raihan, a teacher at the govt-aided Adhani FP School in North 24 Parganas, whose wife died in Dec 2023, making him the primary caregiver of their two children. He moved court after he was allowed only 30 days’ leave to look after them, following current laws.
Justice Sinha said state govt should treat its employees without any gender bias, adding that state govt should extend similar benefits to men as it does women. She asked the joint secretary of the finance department to consider the teacher’s plea to review govt’s childcare scheme.
The petitioner’s counsel contended that the variance in the amounts of leaves was discriminatory and gender-biased. “When the Constitution speaks of equality, state govt should rise to the occasion and encourage equality in all respects,” he argued.