Srinagar: The government on Wednesday ordered 180 days leave in favor of a woman in legal adoption of a child below the age of one year.
In exercise of the powers conferred by the provision of Article 309 of the Constitution of India, the Lieutenant Governor has directed that after Rule 41-A of the Jammu and Kashmir Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1979, Rule 41-B be added.
The newly added rule states that subject to the provisions of these rules, a female Government servant having less than two surviving children may, on lawfully adopting a child below the age of one year, adopt the child by the competent authority. leave may be granted. Grant of leave for a period of 180 days immediately following the date of valid adoption.
“During the period of leave of adoption of the child, he/she shall be paid leave salary equal to the pay received immediately before proceeding on leave,” reads the order of Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Finance (Financial Commissioner).
The order further states that adoption leave can be combined with any other type of leave.
In continuation of “Child Adoption Leave”, adoptive mothers may also, if applied for, be granted leave due and admissible (including leave not payable and commuted leave exceeding 60 (sixty) days without production of medical certificate (ii) for a period not exceeding one year from the date of valid adoption of the adopted child, irrespective of the leave of adoption of the child,” the order further reads. However, subject to conditions that this facility will not be admissible to the adoptive mother who already has two surviving children at the time of adoption.
The maximum one year of leave due and admissible, which is not due and includes leave up to 60 days without medical certificate, shall be deducted from the age of the child as on the date of adoption Holiday is taken into account. Following illustration: “- If the age of the adopted child is less than one month on the date of adoption, leave up to one year may be allowed.”
If the child is six months and above but less than seven months, leave of up to 6 months may be allowed.
Similarly, if the age of the child is 9 months and above but less than ten months, leave up to 3 months may be allowed and the leave of adoption of the child will not be debited from the leave account. (GNS)
