Karnataka: Labour Dept plans law to enforce menstrual leave policy for working women
Bengaluru: The Labour Department is considering introducing a law to implement the menstrual leave policy for working women, which the Cabinet approved recently, reported Deccan Herald.
As per the policy, all menstruating women employed in both government and private sectors will be entitled to one menstrual leave per month. An 18-member committee headed by Dr Sapna S. of Christ Deemed-to-be University had recommended six days leave per year, which was enhanced to 12 by the government.
“We will issue a government order (GO) first. We have already proposed a bill and are considering preparing it if need be,” DH quoted Labour Minister Santosh Lad as saying.
Sources in the department cited in the report feel that a bill is necessary, as a GO, which isn’t an Act, will not have the same legal sanctity and can be struck down by the courts.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Law Commission has already drafted the Karnataka Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Bill, 2025. As per a copy of the Bill, which DH said it had accessed, the definition of “menstruating person” includes girls, women and transgender persons.
The Bill also proposes the establishment of the Karnataka Menstrual Leave and Hygiene Authority, which will be responsible for addressing grievances and complaints received from menstruating persons.
The Bill penalises denying leave to a menstruating person by imposing a penalty of Rs 5,000 for each contravention of the provisions of the Act.
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Businessman lured by FB friend, attacked for extortion in K'taka; 4 held
Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): Four people were arrested for allegedly assaulting, illegally confining and attempting to extort money from a 39-year-old businessman who was lured through a honeytrap set up on social media, police said on Monday.
The accused have been identified as Rachana, Malati, Darshan and Ravi.
Police said efforts are underway to nab the remaining suspects involved in the incident, which occurred on December 12 in Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu.
According to the complaint, the victim, a resident of Maddur taluk in Mandya district, was befriended by a woman identified as Rachana through Facebook, who later sought financial assistance and received Rs 5,000 from him via PhonePe on November 28.
When he asked her to return the money, the woman allegedly asked him to travel to Mysuru or Kushalnagar, promising to meet him.
The police said the woman later called the victim to Madikeri on December 12 and took him to a house near the market area, where they spent some time and consumed alcohol in the evening.
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Later that night, citing an emergency, the woman left the house. After her departure, three men allegedly broke into the house and attacked the victim, assaulting him with a stick and the handle of a sword, causing injuries to his face, mouth, chest and leg, the FIR stated.
The complainant alleged that he was forcibly confined, stripped and a nude video of him was recorded. The accused also allegedly threatened him with a toy gun, demanding Rs 50 lakh and warning that the video would be uploaded on social media if the money was not paid.
Police said the victim was held captive and somehow managed to escape in the early hours of December 13. However, after he escaped, the accused allegedly attempted to kidnap him in an autorickshaw, an incident that was captured on CCTV cameras.
Based on his complaint at the Madikeri Town police station, a case was registered under Sections 310(2) (dacoity), 127(2) (wrongful confinement), 118(1) (voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, a senior police officer said.
“Four accused, including two women, have been arrested. Efforts are on to nab two more absconding accused. Further investigation is on,” he added.
