CHENNAI: Ticking one item off the list of promises they made during the elections, Amma-led AIADMK government has increased the maternity leave of government employees from six months to nine. Addressing the state assembly, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said, "In 2011, my government increased the maternity leave from 90 days to six months. Now, the government is increasing the maternity leave from six months to nine months."
Recently, the Rajya Sabha passed an amendment bill proposing six months' maternity leave for all working women, last month. The Maternity Benefit Bill, which is yet to be passed by the Lok Sabha, will also provide 12 weeks of maternity leave for women, who adopt children, and those opting for surrogacy.
The CM also announced mega plans involving government hospitals across the region, with her government aiming to construct more buildings at Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital, Kilpauk Government Hospital in Chennai and Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital. "Hybrid OT, IVR rooms, post-operative care rooms, imaging and conference halls will be constructed in the above mentioned hospitals at a cost of £35.65 million. Similarly, in these hospitals equipment like c-arms, x-ray machines, and MRI and CT scans will be provided. Training centres with simulators will also be set up in these hospitals. The total cost will be £49.74 million," Jaya said.
The government would also upgrade general hospitals in Salem, Vellore, Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, Trichy, and Tuticorin, and equipment for mammography, CT scan, imaging, ultrasound and others will be provided, at a cost of £7.51 million.
Amma Gyms, Parks
In another initiative, the government will set up 500 ‘Amma Gyms’ for youth and develop as many ‘Amma Parks’ for the public in rural areas. In a statement Jaya said the gyms in rural areas would promote the physical and mental health of youth. She said the 'Amma parks' in village panchayats would have all amenities, including play equipment for children, toilets, cement benches for seating and paved pathways for walking.
