Shillong, Mar 20: The Meghalaya SSA School Association (MSSASA) has sought the intervention of Chief Minister, Conrad K. Sangma into the delay in granting benefits of maternity leave to Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) teachers in the state.

In a statement issued here on Wednesday, President of the association, Aristotle C. Rymbai said, the association had submitted a letter on the matter to the chief minister on February 15.

He said the Ministry of Labour and Employment in its clarification issued on April 12, 2017 to all States and UTs, clearly mentioned in Section 2 of the Maternity Benefits Act, that the Act is applicable to all women who are employed in mines, agricultural, shops and any institutions or otherwise could be either in organized sector or unorganized sector, either on contractual or as consultant.

Further, he said the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi on November 15, 2018 had also announced that the government will pay employers salaries for first seven of 26 weeks of maternity leave for women earning more than Rs 15,000. This decision of the Ministry covers both the government and private employers.

Rymbai informed the Under Secretary in-charge Labour department, A Tariang in a reply to the association in August last year, had clearly stated that the Maternity Benefits Act 1961 had been extended to SSA teachers.

Similary in February this year, State Project Director of SEMAM, Ambrose Ch. Marak had also sent a proposal for extension of benefit under the Maternity Benefits Act 1961 to SSA teachers to the education department’s special officer to examine and take a policy decision on the agenda.

“But unfortunately till date in Meghalaya, the teachers working under Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) are being deprived of the benefit of maternity leave,” Rymbai said.