Bhubaneswar, May 21 (Reporter) The Odisha Government has introduced specific rules granting 180 days of maternity leave to women government employees. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has approved the proposal, effectively resolving longstanding issues faced by women employees in availing maternity leave. As per the new rules, a woman government employee with fewer than two living children is entitled to up to 180 days of maternity leave. Previously, there was ambiguity about the timeframe during which maternity leave could be availed. The newly framed rules clarify the conditions and periods under which the leave may be taken. One major concern addressed is the situation where a woman joins government service after childbirth. The new rules specify that such employees may still be granted maternity leave, provided the child is under six months old at the time of joining. However, in these cases, the leave granted will be less than 180 days. The rules also account for unfortunate circumstances such as miscarriage, stillbirth, or the death of a newborn. In cases of miscarriage or stillbirth (defined as the baby being born dead after 28 weeks or more of pregnancy), the employee is entitled to 42 days of maternity leave from the date of the incident. If the child dies between 29 and 120 days after birth, the woman employee is eligible for up to 14 days of special maternity leave from the date of the incident. If the regular maternity leave has already expired, she may still receive special maternity leave of 14 days. If her regular leave expires within 14 days of the incident, she will be granted the remaining number of days to complete the 14-day period. Eligibility for maternity leave is limited to women with fewer than two living children, and the childbirth must occur in a recognized hospital. Furthermore, if a woman employee is promoted while on maternity leave, she will be considered as having joined the higher post on the date her joining report (in hard or soft copy) is received by the appropriate authority. She will continue her maternity leave in the promoted role as per the new government rules...////...