Officials becoming mothers through surrogacy to get maternity

Government officials who become mothers through surrogacy will be entitled to maternity leave, Union minister Jitendra Singh said today.
According to the orders issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, such women can get paid maternity leave of 26 weeks (about 180 days).
Addressing a press conference, Singh, minister of state for personnel, public grievances and pensions, also said that a divorced daughter will be eligible for family pension if the divorce case has been filed before the death of pensioner or the family pensioner, even though the judgement has been passed after the death of the pensioner or family pensioner.

The minister also announced that constant attendant allowance on disability pension has been increased by 25 per cent from Rs 4,500 per month to Rs 6,750 per month.
"These are the revolutionary steps forward and will promote gender equality and provide equal financial benefit to women. These are not only financial reforms, but also social reforms keeping in mind the futuristic society," the minister said.
He said the emphasis of the Modi government has been on the welfare of weaker sections.
The focus of the Budget this year has been on the senior citizens, he said.