Maternity leave and Maternity benefit for fixed term contract employee?

Sir/Madam, One of my friend is working as a fixed term employee from Feb 2017 and her contract is expiring in Feb 2018. And she is covered under ESIC. She has applied for maternity leave (1st child) from 01st Dec 2017. However, management from her company denied any paid maternity leave citing she needs to claim it under ESIC. Furthermore she is being told that there will be no contract extension for her and the contract will expire in Feb 2018. kindly suggest.
Regards

Employer can not be forced to renew the Contract consequent to expiry of Contract.