O. Preethi Kumari v. State Of Telangana,

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE K.SARATH WRIT PETITION Nos.27261, 27454, 30006, 33849, 34214, 35010, 36358, 40239 & 40329 of 2017, 2211, 3602, 4960, 24693, 25745, 38166, 45307 & 45481 of 2018 COMMON ORDER:

1.

Heard Sri K.Rajanna, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners in all the petitions, and Sri N.Bhupal Reddy, learned Standing Counsel for Telangana Social Welfare Residential Institutional Society, appearing for the respondents.

2.

Both the counsel submitted that since the issue involved in all these petitions is one and the same, they were heard together and are being disposed of by this Common order. 3.

The petitioners in all these matters questioning the action of the respondents in not granting of maternity leave for a period of twenty six (26) weeks as per Section 5 (3) of the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2016.

4.

After filing these batch of writ petitions, the respondentsociety had issued Circular vide Rc.No.TS/G/1608/2018, dated 18.08.2018 sanctioning maternity leave for a period of twenty

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six (26) weeks (maximum 180 days) to the contract teachers duly notifying the beneficiaries that the sanction is purely subject to the outcome of the final orders of this Court. 5.

The Government issued G.O.Ms.No.50 Social Welfare Department dated 17.05.2014 for sanctioning 180 days of maternity leave to the women employees, who are working in the Social Welfare (Social Welfare Residential Institutions) Department. The same benefit has to be extended to the petitioners herein, who are working as contract employees of Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society.

6.

The Standing Counsel appearing for the respondents submitted that after filing the writ petitions, the society has taken a decision to extend the benefit of 180 days maternity leave to all the contract women employees, who are working in the Society pending final orders of this Court and requested to pass appropriate orders.

7.

In view of the above submissions made by the counsel on both sides, these Writ Petitions are disposed of directing the

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respondents to sanction the Maternity Leave up to 180 days to the Contract Women Employees, as was done in respect of regular women employees of the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Institutions Society as per G.O.Ms.No.50 Social Welfare Department dated 17.05.2014 and Section 5 (3) of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 as amended under Amendment Act, 2016 dated 08.08.2016.

8.

Miscellaneous petitions pending if any, shall stand closed. No costs.

______________________ JUSTICE K.SARATH Date:19.01.2023.

Krl.