No paid time off for new Indian fathers just yet

While the government is considering a proposal to hike the paid maternity leave for expecting women working in the private sector from the current 12 weeks to 26 weeks, there's still time before new fathers in India will get any such relief to take care of their new born baby at home.

According to the Minister of State for Labour Bandaru Dattatreya, so far, there is no provision under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, which will pave the way for paid leaves for new fathers. 

Bandaru was answering a question in the Lok Sabha. 

In January, the government had first said that paid maternity leave for women will be increased from 12 weeks currently to 26 weeks.

The proposal is still under consideration with the government, the Minister said.

The government is also considering a proposal to provide 12 weeks of maternity leave to women planning to adopt a child and also for commissioning mothers -- that is women who are going to have a child through a surrogate.