Bhubaneswar just witnessed a landmark judgment by the Orissa High Court that has taken a giant leap in safeguarding the rights of working women. In a powerful ruling, the court asserted that maternity benefits must be extended to all female employees, whether they are permanent, temporary, or contractual workers. This decision strikes a major blow against workplace discrimination rooted in employment status.
The case revolved around Anindita Mishra, a contractual employee in the state’s Health and Family Welfare Department, who was denied maternity leave after giving birth to her daughter in 2016. When she challenged this denial, the court didn’t just side with her—it delivered a resounding message about equality in the workplace.
“Denying maternity benefits on account of employment category is abhorrent to the notions of humanity and womanhood,” declared the division bench of Justice Dixit Krishna Shripad and Justice Mruganka Sekhar Sahoo. The judges emphasized that all women employees form a single group when it comes to availing maternity benefits, making any differentiation unacceptable.
At the heart of this case lies a fundamental principle: equality before the law. The court pointed out that denying maternity benefits based on employment type violates Article 14 of the Indian Constitution. This constitutional guarantee isn’t just for permanent employees—it protects every woman in the workforce.
The state government’s attempt to appeal against an earlier favorable judgment for Mishra was swiftly dismissed by the division bench. They called the appeal “devoid of merit” and ordered authorities to comply with the ruling within eight weeks. The court also praised the earlier single-judge decision as “sound and unassailable.”
Mishra’s struggle dates back to May 2014 when she joined as a contractual employee. After her daughter’s birth in August 2016, she followed proper procedures, submitting all required medical documents to claim her six months’ maternity leave. But on June 7, 2017, she received a blunt rejection solely because of her contractual status.
The court’s decision goes beyond just maternity leave. It also highlighted the critical importance of mother-child bonding in the early years. Judges stressed the principle of ‘zero separation’ between a mother and newborn during infancy, calling breastfeeding a fundamental right during a child’s formative years.
This judgment doesn’t just affect Anindita Mishra—it sets a precedent for countless women across Orissa and potentially the entire country. Contractual and temporary workers, who often face uncertainty about their rights, can now point to this decision when fighting for their maternity benefits.
The ruling serves as a reminder that employment agreements shouldn’t override basic human rights. Whether a woman is permanent staff or on contract, her right to motherhood benefits remains non-negotiable. For working women everywhere, this case marks a significant victory against workplace discrimination.
As companies and government departments review their policies in light of this judgment, one thing becomes clear: maternity rights aren’t a privilege reserved for certain employment categories. They’re fundamental rights that belong to every working woman, period. The Orissa High Court has made that position legally undeniable.