Kolkata, July 17 (IANS): The West Bengal government has decided to extend child care leave facility to all female employees of schools, universities and statutory authorities, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said here on Friday.

The benefit - entailing leave at one go or in tranches - can be availed for two children upto their 18 years of age, she said.

So long only the state government employs could avail the facility."Now, we are extending the benefit to all female employees of schools, universities, corporations, statutory authorities under the state government, and all rural and urban government bodies," Banerjee told the media at the state secretariat Nabanna.The move will benefit one lakh female employees.

Asked whether she would request the private sector to provide the facility to their employees, she replied in the negative. "I can't do that. It is up to them. They will implement whatever is convenient to them."