Menstrual queries deleted from form

Bowing to pressure from women groups, the government deletes controversial queries on women-specific health issues from the new performance appraisal report form, report Aloke Tikku & Ketaki Ghoge.

The government has bowed to pressure from women groups and deleted controversial queries on women-specific health issues such as menstruation details from the new performance appraisal report form. The amendment to the All India Services (Performance Appraisal Report) Rules had been notified on Monday.

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“The government reconsidered the whole issue and took a decision. These queries have been deleted,” Satyananda Mishra, secretary, department of personnel and training, told HT on Tuesday.

Last week, HT had first reported on protests from Maharashtra cadre women officers against the queries on their menstrual history, last menstrual period and last maternity leave in the performance appraisal rules. The women bureaucrats from the Maharashtra state secretariat had also sent a joint letter to the Centre last week terming the queries as “appalling”.

“I am just glad that the Government of India heeded our requests,” said Sharwari Gokhale, environment secretary, state secretariat.

The story had led to protests from women’s groups, individuals and politicians. The issue was also raised in the budget session of the State Legislature.