Will increase maternity leave, state tells Bombay high court

The state has told the Bombay high court that it will direct all municipal corporations and local bodies to amend their rules to ensure that women employees get six months’ maternity leave.

The division bench of justice PB Majmudar and justice Amjad Sayed on January 17 were hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by social worker Nainesh Dolas.

Dolas’s petition stated that in spite of the August 24, 2009 government resolution (GR) — increasing maternity leave from 90 to 180 days - local authorities are not implementing it. He specifically stated that BMC has not implemented the GR.

Dolas’s advocate Neeta Karnik argued that even Thane Municipal Corporation and Mira-Bhayander Municipal Corporation have amended their rules and implemented the GR.

She said non-implementation of the GR was causing inconvenience to several women employees travelling from far-off places in trains, and besides, many were unaware of it.

The state filed an affidavit stating that in view of the GR it is necessary to amend the municipal services rules regarding 90 days’ leave for women employees.

It also said that BMC’s law committee and the standing committee had approved the amendment in October 2010. BMC’s lawyer said in view of steps being taken to amend the service rules and circulars are being issued, BMC will act accordingly.