Special 60 Days Maternity Leave For Central Govt Employees If Baby Dies After Birth

In a welcoming move, female central government employees are entitled to extra 60 days of maternity leave if the child dies soon after birth. Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) issued this order on Friday, September 3.

It further read that the decision was taken considering the emotional trauma that a woman goes through if she gives birth to a stillborn or the baby dies after birth. The department also pointed out that they have been receiving inquiries related to maternity leaves in case the child dies after birth.

Far-Reaching Impact

The order said, “The matter has been considered in consultation with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, keeping in view the potential emotional trauma caused due to stillbirth or death of a child soon after birth.”

“It has a far-reaching impact on the mother’s life, it has now been decided to grant a special maternity leave for 60 days to a female central government servant in case of death of a child soon after birth/stillbirth,” the order further read.

Not only this, but the order also clarified that if the employee has already availed of leaves, and they continue till the date the baby expires after birth/stillbirth, they would be converted into any other kind of leaves that remain in her account.

No government officer can pester her for any medical certificate, and special leave for 60 days would be granted to the mother from the date of the expiry of her child.

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Condition For Death Extends Upto 28 Days After Birth

According to the order issued, the condition for death of the baby may be defined up to 28 days after the birth. A child born with no sign of life or post 28 weeks of gestation will be defined as stillbirth.

However, the benefits of this special maternity leave will only extend for the female employee with less than two surviving children, and a delivery that happened in an authorised hospital, a government or private facility empanelled under the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).

In case, a woman opts for an unauthorised healthcare facility, she will have to produce an emergency certificate.

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“These orders shall extend to government employees appointed to the civil services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union of India in terms of Rule 2 of the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules 1972 with effect from the date of issue of this order,” it read.