State Can’t Rigidly Apply 80-Day Condition to Refuse Paid Maternity Leave: MP High Court

The Madhya Pradesh High Court held that the State cannot deny paid maternity benefits to women employees in government establishments by strictly invoking the 80-day work requirement under Section 5(2) of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961.

The case involved a contractual employee whose maternity benefits were withdrawn on this ground.

The Court emphasised that welfare legislation must be interpreted in light of constitutional principles, particularly Articles 38 and 39, which mandate protection of women’s health and dignity.

It ruled that the State, as a welfare employer, cannot apply eligibility conditions rigidly to defeat maternity rights, even if the 80-day threshold is not met.

[Dr Priti Saket v. State of Madhya Pradesh]