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New Delhi: In big news for the working women in Karnataka, the state Cabinet, in a meeting on Thursday, approved the proposal to provide monthly paid menstrual leave to women. Minister HK Patil revealed this information while addressing a press conference at Vidhana Soudha after the cabinet meeting led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. Patil said that menstrual leave will be applicable in government offices, garments, multinational companies (MNCs), IT, and private industrial sectors in the state.
Santosh Lad, the Minister of the Labour Department, said, "We have been trying for the past year to implement the rule of giving menstrual leave. Women do many jobs. Along with housework, they have to take care of children. Women also experience mental stress during menstruation. Therefore, we formed a committee to review the provision of menstrual leave."
He added, "The committee had decided to give 6 days of leave. The government has decided to grant 12 days of annual leave. I'm not familiar with how it is implemented in other states. We will implement it in Karnataka. It will be applicable in all sectors. It will be applicable in both the government and private sectors."
Notably, among the Indian states, menstrual leave was first announced in Bihar in 1992. There, two days of menstrual leave are provided every month. In Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Kerala, menstrual leave is also provided to women with certain provisions.
Among other decisions, the Karnataka Cabinet has also decided to allot Rs 200 crore for fertiliser stock for 2025-26. Also, it has given its approval for a capital guarantee for a loan, and has taken steps for Watershed Development Unit, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchay Yojana, and will undertake an additional 15 projects for Rs 90 crore.
