Ukhrul, Mar 10: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today informed that the state government has been able to bring down the maternal mortality rate (MMR) by 40 percent.
Replying in the Assembly on the issue of maternity leave, Sangma said MMR was one of the issues taken up by the MDA-I government since 2018.
“At that time, the MMR was double the national average six years back. However, with the different interventions taken at our level, the MMR was brought down by 40%. We are now hovering around the national average,” he said.
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Earlier, Sangma also informed that for regular government employees, they are governed under Subsidiary Rule 111 of the Meghalaya Fundamental Rules & Subsidiary Rules, 1984 (as amended).
They are entitled for maternity leave for 120 days with less than two surviving children. In case of stillborn delivery, grant of maternity leave for more than the above limit may be allowed.
Initially, it was granted for 90 days with effect from February 14, 1984 till December 22, 2009. Then, it was enhanced from 90 days to 120 days with effect from December 23, 2009 till December 7, 2017. Subsequently, it was increased from 120 days to 180 days with effect from December 8, 2017 onwards, he said.
For private enterprises, the CM said they are covered under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017.
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The duration of paid maternity leave available for women employees is from the existing 12 weeks to 26 weeks.
It may be stated that all private and public organizations are covered under the above Maternity Benefit Act.
“No woman shall be entitled to maternity benefit unless she has worked in an establishment of the employer from whom she claims maternity benefit, for not less than eight days in the twelve months immediately preceding the date of her expected delivery,” he further said.
Further, Sangma said that since the existing government rules do not cover the non-permanent, casual, contractual, ad hoc and muster roll, they shall be granted maternity leave under the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017, an amendment to “The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.”
( Newmai News Network )