Karnataka backtracks on night shift for women

Bangalore, May 14: Karnataka Cabinet today decided to introduce an amendment to the Labour Act to enable women to work in night shifts by removing the word 'prohibition' in the main Act of 1961 It also decided to keep the notification with regard to introducing penal provisions to employers in abeyance.

Announcing the decisions after the Cabinet meeting here, Labour Minister Iqbal Ansari said the Act prohibiting women working in night shifts was already in existence but it was not being implemented effectively. Now the government intended to amend the Act to introduce penal provisions for employers who violated the provisions. Governor T N Chaturvedi had also given his assent to the bill.

However, in the wake of criticism by various organisations, the government had decided to postpone the issue of the notification.

He clarified that the State government had never imposed ban on women working during nights and said the women organisations had also suggested that the word 'prohibition' with regard to women on night shifts be done away with, keeping in view the changing trends.

Accordingly, the government would soon introduce an amendment to the Act after consulting officials of Law and Labour Departments, he clarified.

He said such a ban was already in existence Gujarat in Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Basavaraj Horatti, briefing newspersons on the Cabinet decisions, said the mid-day meal programme would be extended to students of Eighth standard from this year. This would cover over 18 lakh students and result in an additional expenditure of Rs 126 crore to the government.

The government would also enlist the role of 'Stree Shakti Self Help Groups,' wherever possible, to provide relief to teachers in preparation of food, he added.

Mr Horatti said the Cabinet had approved eleven schemes to provide clean and safe drinking water to Belgaum, Bellary, Chikmaglur, Davangere, Koppal and Mandya, involving an investment of Rs 128.73 crore. Similarly, the government would also take up works to provide drinking water facility in villages facing severe shortage of water in eleven districts including Bangalore and Kolar by investing Rs 488 crore, he added.

Medical Education Minister V S Acharya, who was also present, said the Cabinet had decided to increase the pay of lecturers, Associate Professors and Professors working in seven government medical colleges to attract young talents.

This would result in an additional expenditure of Rs 48 crore annually. The Cabinet agreed in principle to balance this expenditure by increasing the Medical Seat quota under Non-Resident Indian Category, keeping in view the Supreme Court Directions.

UNI