The instant petition has been filed for grant of the following substantive reliefs:-

(i) That That the impugned Annexure A-5 may kindly be quashed and set aside and respondents authorities be directed to review its decision dated 25.10.2018 (Annexure A-1) in accordance with Himachal Pradesh Government notification dated 21.12.2017 and dated 22.01.2018 and sanction maternity leave for a period of 180 days.

(ii) That the respondents be directed to release the salary of applicant for the period w.e.f. 01.01.2019 to 22.02.2019.

2. The undisputed facts of the present case are that the petitioner was initially appointed as Assistant Finance Officer on contract basis w.e.f. 23.09.2008 and subsequently his services came to be regularized and she was promoted as Manager (Finance) on 01.01.2017.

3. The petitioner while in service was in family way and had given due notice to respondent No. 3 on 03.07.2018 that she would be proceeding on maternity leave for 180 days w.e.f. 04.07.2018 to 20.12.2018 under “The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961”, with a specific request to allow her the benefit flowing out of the notification issued by the Finance Department of the Government of Himachal Pradesh dated 2