Proposed Bill on menstrual leave in Karnataka put on the back burner
The state government’s plans to implement the Karnataka Women Welfare Bill, 2025, which is seen as a pioneering law in the country, seem to be on the backburner for now amid opposition from various quarters.
While the Government Decision on one day menstrual leave per month was being questioned in the Karnataka High Court, the bill was proposed to be introduced during the last Winter Session in Belagavi. However, the bill was not presented to the parliament.
Opposition
Sources in the government said, “We decided to put the bill on the back burner due to opposition. It was also thought that female students falling under the bill might be stigmatized if they took advantage of menstrual leave. It was felt that the bill required wider consultation.” Hindu.
He also acknowledged that there was opposition from several ministers.
After the Cabinet approved the Menstrual Leave Policy for women aged 18 to 52 in November 2025, a subsequent HD also brought the private sector into the fold. Later, it also included state employees within its scope.
However, legislation was felt to be necessary to legally strengthen the policy. This is because the Plantation Labor Act, 1951, the Karnataka Shops and Trading Establishments Act, 1961, the Factories Act, 1948, the Mining Act, 1952, the Beedi and Cigar Workers Act, 1966 and the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961, do not have menstrual leave provisions applicable to workplaces.
Wider coverage
In fact, the government had gone a step further than the GO and proposed to remove the 18-year eligibility criteria to accommodate school/university students under the legislation, in addition to proposing fines for those violating provisions deemed radical.
According to a Minister aware of the development, there was a possibility that the Bill could be revived following further consultation.
Four months later…
Nearly four months after the government introduced the one-day menstrual leave policy and issued a GO, its implementation across sectors has remained inadequate.
In the government sector, individual departments began reporting the practice. The Ministry of National Education recently announced this permission.
A large number of industries appear to be citing the ongoing litigation in the Karnataka High Court as the reason for not implementing the leave policy immediately.
confusion, confusion
However, Law Department sources claimed: “The Supreme Court in December withdrew its stay of execution on GO, which effectively means GO is still legal.”
The case appears to have caused confusion and the issue is likely to be addressed in the Budget, according to one Minister.
In his Republic Day speech, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot termed Karnataka’s paid menstrual leave policy as one of the “revolutionary decisions” taken in the country for the health and welfare of women.
While the first notification dated November 12, 2025 covered only the private sector, the next notification dated December 2, 2025 covered public employees.
According to union sources, although some sectors have already implemented the leave policy, a majority have informed the unions that they will wait for the court decision as the GO is in litigation.
“Although in some cases factories have implemented the policy, menstrual leave is linked to attendance incentive provided to employees with full attendance within a month,” sources said.
There is no penalty requirement
The absence of any penalty clause in the GO for sectors or individuals who refuse menstrual leave is seen as a gap and makes implementation difficult. Additionally, the government has not designated any department/institution to oversee the implementation.
“The proposed bill includes both monitoring provisions and provisions for imposition of penalty of ₹ 5,000 in case of refusal of permission. In the absence of a legislation, HD is weak,” said a union source.
It was published – 08 February 2026 12:48 IST
