Child Care Leave Extended to Single Fathers in Assam
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Assam government has introduced childcare leave for single fathers in state departments, allowing them the opportunity to care for their children without fear of job loss or salary deductions. This policy aims to support single parents in fulfilling their caregiving responsibilities.
Key Takeaways
- Child Care Leave now available for single fathers in Assam.
- Leave can be taken for children up to 18 years old.
- Eligible for biological, adopted, and legally dependent children.
- Maximum of 730 days of leave, with varying salary provisions.
- Approval required to minimize disruption in government functions.
Guwahati, March 30 (NationPress) The government of Assam has announced the provision of childcare leave for single fathers employed in state government roles, as stated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday.
In a post on X, CM Sarma remarked, “Life can take unforeseen turns, and sometimes a man must take on the role of the primary caregiver for his child. In such cases, our State Government employees can rest assured that we are here to support you.”
“Effective immediately, we are introducing Child Care Leave for single fathers to help them care for their young children,” he added.
Child Care Leave (CCL) is a crucial policy enabling employees to tend to their children without the stress of salary cuts or job loss.
In Assam, similar to other regions in India, female government employees have traditionally benefited from this leave to address their children’s needs during critical times such as health issues, exams, or other necessary circumstances.
Previously, Child Care Leave in Assam was exclusively available to female public servants. However, following the latest government announcement, single male employees who are parents (including widowers, divorcees, or unmarried fathers) can now access this leave.
The main eligibility criteria state that the individual must be a government employee under the Assam administration. The leave applies to children aged up to 18 years and can be used for biological, adopted, or legally dependent children.
Single fathers can now apply for CCL. As per the updated policy, eligible employees can take CCL for a total of up to two years (730 days). Additionally, those who have custody of disabled children will also enjoy the benefits of this new regulation. The leave can be taken in several segments but is limited to three instances within a calendar year.
A senior government official explained that the first 365 days of leave are granted at full salary, while the following 365 days will be compensated at 80 percent of the salary. “The leave must be taken in blocks of at least 15 days. However, it is subject to the prior approval of the appropriate authority to ensure that critical government operations are not interrupted,” he added.
