In its executive meeting PUTA today expressed strong resentment over the delay in the implementation of Child Care Leave. Child Care Leave is very much a part of UGC regulations of June 2010, which the University has already accepted in Toto. The members resented the fact that while everything is pushed in the name of UGC regulations, this facility of leave to female employees is being put on the back burner. In the recently held Syndicate meeting of 29th April, 2012, the matter should been discussed and clinched, but it was not brought on the main agenda, and thus an unnecessary ground was prepared to postpone the benefit. It is pertinent to observe that the scheme of Child Care Leave has already been implemented by the Central as well as Punjab Government. Under the scheme the female employees are allowed to avail leave of 730 days to look after their minor children.
PUTA executive felt that keeping in view the pressures of family responsibilities, such a leave is a dire social requirement. The Child Care Leave is a social measure that is going to improve the lot of working women who are burdened two fold — one at the level of professional responsibilities and other at the level of domestic duties. Most of the members were of the opinion that once the University has accepted new UGC regulations, there was no need to take the matter again to Syndicate or Senate.
The University has to implement this scheme without further rigmaroles. To protest against the casual attitude of the authorities in the matter of implementation of Child Care Leave, PUTA executive has decided to sit in Dharna on 3rd May, 2012 in front of the Vice Chancellor’s Office for one hour (from 11 am to 12 noon). The members of PUTA are requested to join the dharna.