New Delhi, February 21: In what is believed to be a momentous step towards ensuring women empowerment at workplaces, the parliament house will soon have a crèche facility on its premises. Under the direct supervision of Hon'ble Speaker, creche development work is in progress and a senior official has also been deputed to oversee the work. This will make way for an inclusive and supportive work environment for women employees working in the Parliament.

This significant development by Government will bring in a visible impact by pushing other private establishments, central and state-owned organizations to set up a crèche facility, to aid mothers.  A tweet by Ministry of Women and Child Development said, “The 1500 sq-foot centre will be guarded by professionals & will also have a separate feeding room to aid mothers”. The Ministry of Women and Child Development thanked the Speaker on Twitter.

Maneka Sanjay Gandhi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development in a letter dated 29th March, 2017 apprised the Speaker of Lok Sabha- Sumitra Mahajan about the absence of a crèche facility at the Parliament House. In her letter, Gandhi pointed out that since over one-third of the total number of officials working in the Parliament were women, provision of creche facility was crucial. Swiftly responding to the letter, the office of the Speaker notified that a crèche facility will soon be functional within the premises of Parliament House.

The provisions under the 'Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017' state that a healthy workplace diversity is to be maintained and direct establishments to provide crèche facility. A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as per the laid guidelines will be followed while accepting the employees' request for Crèche registrations. The 1500 sq-foot centre will be guarded by professionals, ensuring all-round development of children and will also have a separate feeding room to aid mothers.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 21, 2018 03:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).