New Delhi: Here's some good news for Central government employees who are single fathers. Male employees who are single parents to dependent children will now be able to avail child care leave (CCL) of a total of 730 days over their service period, a provision that was until now available only to women employees in government offices.

Even though the number of single fathers is likely to be limited, but the move signifies a progressive step towards identifying men as primary care-givers too.

The change in the policy identifies a single male government employee as "an unmarried or widower or divorcee government servant." Even though the number of single fathers is likely to be limited, but the move signifies a progressive step towards identifying men as primary care-givers too. The move is in line with the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission.

It must be noted that the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) order has also brought in a cut in salary drawn for the latter half of the 730-day period. While the earlier rule required the beneficiary to be paid leave salary equal to the pay drawn immediately before proceeding on leave, the amended rule entitles such a beneficiary to 100 percent salary for the first 365 days and 80 percent for the next 365.

The move comes after another step taken by DoPT when it relaxed the leave policy further for women government employees who are single parents. As per the amended Rule 43(C) of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972, a single female parent can avail CCL over six instead of just three spells in a year.

Barring CCL, women can avail paid maternity leave of 180 days and male parents can claim 15 days.