Jammu, Feb 17 (KNT): The Government on Tuesday ruled out any extension of maternity leave or payment of honorarium during the leave period for contractual female workers, citing financial constraints.
Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo made the statement while responding to a question raised by BJP MLA Shagun Parihar in the Legislative Assembly.
The legislator had sought an extension of maternity leave benefits for contractual female workers and proposed that employees involved in accidental cases be granted two months of leave with honorarium.
In her reply, the Minister clarified that there is no proposal under consideration to extend maternity leave benefits with honorarium to contractual female workers. She emphasized that granting such benefits would involve significant financial implications for the government.
The Minister maintained that the existing provisions governing maternity leave and related benefits for contractual employees will continue as per the current policy framework.
The statement effectively rules out any immediate relief for contractual female workers seeking paid maternity leave or additional benefits under special circumstances. [KNT]
