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Judgment
The applicant was appointed to the post of Assistant Section Officer in the Ministry of Commerce on regular basis. In Feb 2021, the applicant was transferred from the Ministry of Commerce to the Ministry of Labour and Employment. On 24.05.2024, the applicant joined her duty as Section Officer in the Ministry of AYUSH. From May 2024, the applicant could not attend her duty due to her medical reasons. The present OA is filed for the following relief:-
“i.Direct the respondents to forthwith sanction and disburse the full 180 days of maternity leave with full pay and allowances to the applicant w.e.f. 11.03.2026;
ii.Direct the respondents to pay interest at the rate of 18% per annum on the arrears of maternity benefits from the date they became due until the date of actual payment;
iii.Allow the present Original Application with costs in favour of the applicant; and
iv.Issue any other appropriate order or direction as this Hon'ble Tribunal may deem fit and proper in the interest of justice and in the favour of the applicant.
The applicant submitted a request dated 06.03.2026 seeking grant of maternity leave and release of salary. In response, the respondents, vide communication dated 28.04.2026, sought clarification regarding the grant of maternity leave or medical leave. In response thereto, the applicant, vide communication dated 27.05.2026, requested that she be permitted to avail of maternity leave, stating that she had given birth to twin babies on 11.05.2026.
Issue notice. Mr. Subodh Kumar Kaushik , who appears on advance service accepts notice. Learned counsel for the respondents seeks four weeks’ time to file counter reply.
At this stage, learned counsel for the applicant states that the applicant will be fairly satisfied if the pending representation dated 27.05.2026 is decided by the respondents by passing a reasoned and speaking order within time bound manner.
Learned counsel for the respondents shows no objection if such direction is passed.
Accordingly, the present OA is disposed of at admission stage itself with the direction to the respondents to pass a reasoned and speaking order on the representation dated 27.05.2026 of the applicant within a period of 8 weeks from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order.
We make it clear that we have not expressed any opinion regarding the merits as well as on the limitation criteria.
OA is disposed of accordingly. No costs.
All pending MAs stand disposed of, if any.