Maternity benefits - female employees who do not join the company post availing maternity benefits

Dear HR POCs, I have a query around female employees who do not join the company post availing maternity benefits (leaves + salary). As a company we may allow them to end their services wilfully since they are not available to resume. However, what should be done regarding the benefits that we have already paid. We have 40% females in the company with max. in an age group of 22 - 35 years. Please suggest.
Thanks

Dear Friend,
Overstayal of any authorised leave by an employee tantamounts to unauthorised absence likely to result in appropriate disciplinary action and as such the case of maternity leave cannot be an exception. But, the employer can not recover the salary already paid as maternity benefit for the same is statutorily counted on the length of past service rendered by the employee only.