Tamil Nadu govt extends maternity leave from 12 weeks to 365 days for third child
PTC News Desk: The Tamil Nadu government announced extension in maternity leave window from 12 weeks to 365 days for its women employees having their third child. Currently married woman employed in government with less than two surviving children are granted 365 days or one year of maternity leave, while those with two or more children get up to 12 weeks of such leave.
During the demand for grants to his department, Minister for Human Resources Management, D Sarathkumar told the state Assembly, "Under these circumstances, as the Tamil Nadu government is a welfare-oriented administration prioritising social welfare and women's empowerment, the maternity leave currently provided for the third child of female government employees will be enhanced from 12 weeks to 365 days".
In 2011, the maternity leave period for women government employees was increased from 90 days to six months. It was further extended to nine months in 2016 and then to one year, or 365 days, in July 2021 by the state governments led by the DMK and AIADMK at different times.
The 365-day maternity leave benefit is available to regular women employees who have fewer than two surviving children. However, following Supreme Court directions and later changes made by the state government, women employees with two or more surviving children are also entitled to 12 weeks, or 84 days, of fully paid maternity leave.
A senior official said that a detailed government order will soon be issued to implement the announcement made in the Assembly.
Row over TVK MLA bringing newborn to Assembly
The development comes amid a controversy involving first-time TVK MLA R Pallavi, who reportedly brought her newborn baby to the ongoing Tamil Nadu Assembly session.
According to reports, Pallavi brings her baby to the Assembly premises and leaves the child with an attendant before entering the main hall for the proceedings. The caregiver looks after the baby in a room near the Assembly hall until the MLA returns.
- With inputs from agencies
