14% of women staff claimed menstrual leave so far: Karnataka govt e-data | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: Only 13.6% of the 61,049 women govt employees have availed menstrual leave so far, according to data from the e-governance department, with officials noting that the figures reflect limited coverage of the digital attendance system.The data pertains to employees in the health and family welfare and education departments, which have onboarded the Karnataka Advanced Attendance Management System (Kaams) or Kartavya app, to record attendance.As the state works to compile comprehensive data, women and child welfare minister Laxmi Hebbalkar said, “Multiple departments have begun implementing the policy already.”Karnataka State Government Women’s Employees Association president Roshni Gowda said initial hurdles have eased. “At that point, departments would ask for an order copy. However, that is now resolved,” she said, referring to early glitches before the department of personnel and administrative reforms (DAPR) issued the order.Association members from Bengaluru and Kumta reported no resistance from colleagues. “The 12 days are added to our regular leave, and we apply for it there,” said Baby, a union member.Officials said the current numbers are not fully representative as Kaams covers only about 25% of the state’s 5.5 lakh govt workforce.Bhoobalan T, CEO of the Centre for e-Governance, said the provision was enabled on the attendance system soon after the govt order in Jan, but uptake varies. “Health and education departments have driven the rollout strongly, with high levels of staff registration, while other departments are gradually adopting it,” he said.To address privacy concerns and streamline the applications, the state is integrating menstrual leave into the e-office leave management system. “We are redeveloping the e-office platform, and the menstrual leave feature will be incorporated into the existing system in the next couple of months,” Bhoobalan said, adding that the move will improve record-keeping as some leave instances currently go unaccounted.The policy has also drawn opposition from sections of the private sector.The Bangalore Hotels Association has challenged it in court, arguing it could affect productivity and hiring. “Women have achieved equality over the years, and introducing such provisions may act as a setback. It could also impact operations, especially during peak business periods,” said Veerendra Kamat, honorary secretary of the association, noting that women make up about 10-15% of the workforce in the sector.On the legal front, labour department secretary Salma Fahim said the Karnataka high court, during a hearing on March 16, directed authorities not to take any coercive action against employers until further orders.