Grant of Child Care Leave - Woman employees cannot demand as a matter of right-Clarification

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS / RAIL MANTRALAYA 

(RAILWAY BOARD)

No. E(P&A)I-2012/CPC/LE-5

New Delhi, dated 17.12.2012

The General Secretary, NFIR,
3, Chelmsford Road, New Delhi – 110055.

Dear Sir

Sub: Grant of Child Care Leave without any reason.

The undersigned is directed to refer to your letter No. 1/5(f) dated 14.11.2012 and to state that as per the extant instructions contained in Board’s letter dated 23.10.2008 and 12.12.2008, woman railway employees having minor children may be granted Child Care Leave by an authority competent to grant leave for a maximum period of two years (i.e.730 days) during their entire service for taking care of upto two children whether for rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness etc. and that Child Care Leave cannot be demanded as a matter of right.

Therefore, in order to enable the competent authority to decide on the application for CCL, reasons have to be mentioned and this condition cannot be dispensed with. Moreover, DOP&T has issued instructions in this regard which have been adopted in toto for the female railway employees. In the circumstances, Ministry of Railways also cannot unilaterally alter the purpose for which Child Care Leave is introduced to female railway employees.

In light of this, the demand is not feasible for acceptance.

Yours faithfully 

sd/-

for Secretary, Railway Board.