Chennai, Sept 4:
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has sought a report from the Tamil Nadu government on measures being taken to manage vacancies arising from the implementation of third maternity leave for eligible women government employees.
Justice B Pugalendhi sought details on whether the government had conducted a study before introducing the policy and how departments proposed to manage vacancies caused by employees proceeding on maternity leave.
The court noted that nearly 10 per cent of the sanctioned or working strength of Personal Assistants to judges in the Madurai Bench was on maternity leave.
It observed that several government departments were already functioning with regular vacancies and that their efficiency depended on the availability of adequate manpower.
The court therefore directed the government to submit a report on the study conducted and steps proposed to meet staff shortages arising from maternity leave.
The case arose from a petition filed by Suganthi Stella Mary, a Secondary Grade Teacher in Dindigul district, challenging the denial of her request for maternity leave.
The court had earlier granted her interim relief, which has now been extended until September 18. The matter has been posted for orders on that date.