New Delhi, Dec. 4 -- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Friday reacted amid some organisations opposing the mandatory menstrual leave policy and said that it is a government policy.

Last month, the state's Labour Department issued an order mandating one day of paid menstrual leave per month to all women aged 18-52 - working in permanent, contractual and outsourced jobs.

As per the order, the women employees have to use the menstrual leave in that very month and cannot "carry" it over to the next month.

However, the Bangalore Hotels Association (BHA) has filed a petition in the Karnataka High Court challenging the state government's directive.

When asked about some organisations opposing mandatory leave, Shivakumar said, ...