Tamil Nadu’s All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam government increased maternity leave available to government employees from six months to nine months, The Times of India reported on Thursday. Addressing the state Assembly, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said, “In 2011, my government increased maternity leave from 90 days to six months. Now, the government is increasing maternity leave from six months to nine months."

She also said the government would release funds amounting to crores of rupees to state-run hospitals and construct facilities at Madurai Rajaji Government Hospital, Kilpauk Government Hospital in Chennai and Coimbatore Government Medical College Hospital to set up vascular, cardio thoracic, plastic surgery, kidney, ENT and surgery facilities for children.

The government has promised a sanction of Rs 356 crore to build hybrid operation theatres, post-operative care rooms and conference halls at the selected hospitals. Jayalalithaa said her administration also proposed to develop facilities in smaller government hospitals at an estimated cost of Rs 131.43 crore. Earlier this week, the state government had announced a proposal to build 500 parks and gymnasiums in rural areas as part of the Amma welfare initiatives.