BENGALURU: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), among the few state-run transport corporations in the country, will provide 180 days leave, on the lines of maternity leave, to women employees who adopt children. However, if she has two surviving children, she cannot avail this benefit.
KSRTC managing director Shivayogi C Kalasad on Wednesday issued a notification allowing its employees who adopt children to avail maternity leave on a par with biological parents. At present, adoptive parents had to take their own leave.
The 180 days’ leave can be availed within the first year of adoption or before the child is one-year-old, whichever happens first.
"We’re following the state government’s order to treat adoptive parents on a par with biological parents," said a KSRTC official.
In February 2020, the state government had issued an order permitting women employees to take 180 days of maternity leave and 15 days of paternity leave for fathers.
The KSRTC order, however, has no mention of paternity leave for adoptive fathers. Many KSRTC employees welcomed the move. "Being a transport employee is a stressful life. It’s a good move and benefits several women. Paternity leave should also be provided to male employees", said a woman employee of KSRTC.
