The State government has enhanced the maternity leave period for its employees from 135 days to 180 days with effect from April 1, 2012, as recommended by the Official Pay Committee (OPC).

A government order to this effect was issued on June 14, 2012. Employees, who have gone on maternity leave before April 1 and have not completed the 135-day period, are entitled for 180 days leave.

However, those who have completed 135 days maternity leave before April 1 and are still on leave using other leaves, are not eligible to avail enhanced maternity leave.
Other allowances

Besides, the government has increased other allowances that are applicable to certain classes of employees.

This includes travel allowances (to officials like tahsildars, revenue inspectors, village accountants and block education officers who were not given government vehicles), uniform allowance to employees in police, transport, forest, excise and health and family welfare departments, hill-station and out-station allowances. The government has also increased the monthly medical allowance for Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ employees from Rs 50 to Rs 100.

The government also enhanced the number of stagnation increments from the existing five to eight and granted additional increment to employees who have completed more than 25 years of services in the same post without any promotion.

Though the government accepted and implemented the OPC recommendations with respect to salary and some components of allowances with effect from April 1, it had not committed itself on implementing recommendations on enhancing maternity leave period and certain other allowances.

It had said that it will take appropriate decision in coming days based on the financial condition.