The Kerala government on Wednesday, August 21 finally decided to appoint women drivers in government departments and public sector undertakings, reports Hindustan Times.
Women in Kerala, barring the State Road Corporation, were not allowed to apply for driver posts in any governmental organisation or department.
Despite this, women have been driving private cars, buses, cars registered with taxi aggregators and autorickshaws in the state.
A statement issued by CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s office read:
Directions have given to all government departments and PSUs to make the driver post gender neutral. This has been done in accordance with the state government’s policy on gender equality. This will benefit many women.
Organisations like All India Democratic Women’s Association and Mahila Congress have hailed the move.