Kerala High Court Issues Notice To KeLSA Secretary On Plea By Assistant Legal Aid Counsel Seeking Maternity Benefits
Manju Elsa Isac
16 Oct 2024 12:26 PM IST
The Kerala High Court has issued notice to the Secretary of Kerala Legal Service Authority on a petition concerning maternity benefits for a lawyer employed as Assistant Legal Aid Defence Counsel at the District Court Center.
Justice Murali Purushothaman will consider the matter on October 21.
Petitioner was appointed by the National Legal Service Authority (NALSA) and Kerala Legal Service Authority (KELSA) in January 2023. She argued that she had applied for maternity leave with benefits for 6 months after her delivery but, there has been no conclusive response from the concerned authorities.
She approached the High Court seeking a direction to consider her request in a speedy manner.
The Thrissur District Legal Service Authority had informed the petitioner that the matter has been forwarded to NALSA for more clarifications.
Petitioner was appointed as a contractual employee for 2 years. She submitted that there is a policy gap in the matter of giving maternity benefit to such employees. The Legal Aid Defense Counsel Scheme of 2022 of NALSA also says nothing about maternity benefits, it is claimed.
The plea has been moved by Advocates Rebin Vincent Gralan, Dinesh G. Warrier, Vimal Vijay
Case Title: Edwina Benny v Union of India
Case No: WP(C) 36266/ 2024
