High Court seeks Telangana’s stand on maternity leave rule for third child
The petitioner contended that the restriction is discriminatory and runs against the welfare of both mother and newborn
By Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: Telangana High Court has asked the state government to clarify its stand on a petition challenging the rule that denies maternity leave to women employees having more than two surviving children.
Court notice to government
A division bench of Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin issued notices while hearing a writ petition filed by G. Swetha, a school assistant at Zilla Parishad High School, Rajiv Gandhi Nagar, Saroornagar, Ranga Reddy district.
Challenge to 2010 Government Order
Swetha contested GO Ms. No. 152, issued on May 4, 2010, by the then undivided Andhra Pradesh government, which restricts the 180-day maternity leave benefit to women employees having only up to two surviving children.
Petitioner’s argument
The petitioner contended that the restriction is discriminatory and runs against the welfare of both mother and newborn, particularly when the health of the third child is equally critical.
She urged the court to direct the Principal Secretary, School Education Department, to consider her representation dated June 21, 2025, seeking maternity leave for her third child.
Policy change in Andhra Pradesh
It was pointed out that the Andhra Pradesh government has already removed the two-child limit by issuing GO Ms. No. 21 on May 5, 2025, thereby extending maternity leave to women irrespective of the number of children. Swetha argued that Telangana should adopt a similar approach to ensure equity.
Next hearing on September 16
The Court directed government counsel S. Suman to file a counter-affidavit and adjourned the matter to September 16 for further hearing.
