High Court passes interim order on extended maternity leave

Gauhati High Court has passed an interim order directing the state government to consider a teacher's petition for extended maternity leave for another two months to allow her to take care of her infant.
Justice Hrishikesh Roy today issued a notice to the state government and in an interim directed it to consider the universal application of child care requirement, the Central government Office Memorandum of September 11, 2008 and UGC notification dated June 6, 2008.
The Court further directed in the interim order that no coercive steps be taken against the teacher for her absence until October 31 and further in the event of her fresh application of child care leave, the authorities concerned may consider the same without pay so that a substitute teacher can be appointed during the leave period to ensure that interest of students do not suffer.

The petitioner, a teacher in Dakshin Bijni Girls' High School, after availing maternity leave, had applied for an extension of leave by another two months to take care of the new born child but it was denied to her by the state government in a letter dated August 8, 2013.
The petitioner had contended that the Central government through the Office Memorandum had recommended enhancement of maternity leave from 135 days to 180 days and further recommended child care leave for a maximum period of two years during the service career of a woman employee.
The UGC also through the notification had announced two years child care leave for women teachers and the same has also been granted to female employees of the central government.