7th CPC Report on Child Care Leave (CCL)
7th CPC Child Care Leave
7th Pay Commission Report on Child Care Leave (CCL) for Central Government Employees
Child Care Leave is granted for two years (730 days) during their entire service
Child Care Leave (CCL) : Child Care Leave (CCL) is granted to women employees for a maximum period of two years (i.e., 730 days) during their entire service for taking care of their minor children (up to eighteen years of age). There are several demands relating to CCL which include converting the same into “family care” leave, extending the facility to male parents and many representations stressing that it should be extended at least to single male parents. Suggestions have also been received that in cases where the child is differently abled, the clause stipulating that the child should be minor, should be done away with. Single mothers have highlighted their unique problems and requested the Commission for liberalising the grant of CCL. Interestingly, representations have also been made for discontinuance of the CCL, primarily on the grounds that it disrupts office working and also because it promotes gender discrimination.
FAQ on Child Care Leave
Analysis and Recommendations
When CCL was first introduced by the VI CPC it generated considerable interest as it represented a positive measure benefiting women employees. It also took a while to stabilise and it is seen that as many as five amendments/clarifications were issued within a short period of time. As it stands, it is meant for women employees “for taking care of up to two children whether for rearing the children or looking after their needs like examination, sickness etc.” It is treated akin to Earned Leave and is sanctioned as such. It may not, however, be granted in more than three spells in a calendar year.
In the first two years of its implementation the experience was that women employees tended to treat this as Casual Leave or an extension of the same, and the resultant frequent absences caused disruptions at work. To address this, in September 2010, a clarification was issued stipulating that CCL may not be granted in more than three spells in a calendar year and also that it may not be granted for less than 15 days at a time. However, the latter stipulation was subsequently withdrawn and as per the latest clarification issued on 5 June, 2014 the government has decided to remove the requirement of minimum period of 15 days CCL. It has been brought to the notice of the Commission that the capping of maximum three spells in a calendar year has, to some extent, addressed the problems relating to disruption of work.
Notwithstanding that, in the course of discussions with various stakeholders, the sense that has come across is that what was introduced as a welfare measure to help employees in times of need, is seen as a benefit that has to be availed simply because it exists. There is, therefore, a palpable need to bring in some inhibiting feature so as to ensure that only genuinely affected employees avail of this scheme.
Towards this end the Commission recommends that CCL should be granted at 100 percent of the salary for the first 365 days, but at 80 percent of the salary for the next 365 days. In making this recommendation the Commission has also kept in mind the fact the concept of a paid (whether 100% or 80%) leave solely for child care for a period of two years, is a liberal measure unmatched anywhere else.
The Commission notes that in the event a male employee is single, the onus of rearing and nurturing the children falls squarely on his shoulders. Hence extension of CCL to single male parents is recommended. Moreover, the Commission recognizes the additional responsibility on the shoulders of employees who are single mothers. Accordingly, it is Report of the Seventh CPC 365 Index recommended that for such employees, the conditionality of three spells in a calendar year should be relaxed to six spells in a calendar year.
How to Claim Child Care Leave in Central Government Services?
As per the Service Record, the employees (Male or Female) having minor children may be admissible Child Care Leave for rearing or any of their requirements like education, sickness etc
80 Percent Salary on CCL Calculation as per Dopt Order
As per the Dopt order issued on 30 August 2019, CCL may be granted at 100% of the leave salary for the first 365 days and 80% of the leave salary for the next 365 days (Click to View the Dopt Order)
Single Male Employees to get Child Care Leave
Single Male Employees working in Central Government Services and having up to two dependent children will be entitled to 730 Days CCL during their entire service. Child Care Leave for Fathers in Central Government Employees – Gazette Notification issued by DoPT on 11 December 2018 [Click to view the Dopt order]
Child Care Leave to Single Male Defence Industrial Employees
Extension of Child Care Leave benefit to the single male Defence Civilian Industrial employees at par with female Defence Civilian Industrial employees – Orders issued by the Department of Defence on 22 January 2020 [Click to view the MoD order]
Availing LTC During Child Care Leave
An employee on CCL may be permitted to leave headquarters with the prior approval of appropriate competent authority. LTC may be availed while an employee is on CCL. (Click to view the Dopt Order)
What is the purpose of CCL ?
Purpose of Child Care Leave is taking care of “up to two children for rearing or to look after any of their needs like examination, sickness etc. [Click to know more in details]
Grant of 10 days Casual Leave – Who are not entitled to 17 holidays – MoD Orders
Grant of 10 days Casual Leave to those Civilian employees under Defence Establishments who are not entitled to 17 holidays per calendar year. (Click to view Mod Order)