Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay-led Tamil Nadu government on Tuesday announced extending the maternity leave for its women employees for the birth of their third child from 12 weeks to 365 days. This is the same duration that women government employees get for the first two children. A senior official said that soon a detailed government order will be issued to give effect to the announcement in the Assembly, according to news agency PTI.
Currently, married women government employees with fewer than two surviving children are granted 365 days of maternity leave, while those with two or more surviving children receive up to 12 weeks of maternity leave. Now, the women government employees would be able to avail 365 days of maternity leave for their third child as well.
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”.
The original 90 days of maternity leave was raised to six months in 2011, nine months in 2016, and extended to one year (365 days) in July 2021 by the respective state governments of the day, led by the AIADMK and the DMK.
Under the standard eligibility framework, the 365-day benefit applies to regular female employees with fewer than two surviving children, reported PTI, citing a government source said. However, in line with directives from the Apex Court and subsequent state amendments, state government women employees with two or more surviving children remain entitled to 12 weeks (84 days) of maternity leave with full pay.
Earlier on Monday, CM Vijay announced a full waiver of cooperative farm loans up to Rs 75,000. Also, he announced a waiver up to Rs 75,000 for loans ranging up to Rs one lakh. The waiver beyond Rs one lakh will be Rs 35,000. The latest waiver will entail an additional expenditure of Rs 953 crore to the exchequer, CM Vijay said.
Emphasising that agriculture is the backbone of the state and that the prosperity of the nation depended on supporting farmers, he said despite the state facing financial constrains, his government decided to extend the additional support worth over Rs 900 crore to farmers. Making an announcement under Rule 110 in the Assembly, Vijay said the government previously waived agricultural loans up to Rs 50,000 within 15 days of taking office in May. This was later expanded to provide full waivers for loans up to Rs 75,000, and a Rs 35,000 waiver for loans exceeding Rs 75,000, benefiting over 14.44 lakh farmers.
(With PTI inputs)