Subject : Leave Management.
Sanjeev Goyal
DARPG/E/2025/0013406
Concerned Department: DOARPG
Subject : Leave Management.
Child Care Leave: As per present regulations an employee availing CCL is also entitled to get accrual of other leave during the same period i.e. for a period pf 2 years CCL one would also get 60 EL, 40 HPL & 16 CL. This is violating the basic principle that leave over leave can not be granted. Employees enjoying study leave are not granted accrual of other leave during the same period, hence requires review.
Leave Encashment Method: As per present method prescribed the amount of LE is worked out by considering a year of 360 days. This results in over calculation and is does not carry a strong logic for this over payment. May be reviewed.
Long list of Public Holidays: The present list of public holidays of Central Government runs for 19 days which contains 17 Gazeted Holidays (GH) plus 2 Restricted Holidays (RH). On an average we assume that 2 festivals would fall on either Saturday or Sunday. Considering that on an average there are 22 (365-104/12) working days, list is too long and practically is eating close to full one month. This is very high compared to other countries and practically out numbers many countries of the world. This high number apparently does not serves any social cause. If we see the trend, demand for increase in holidays has not stalled. Still DOPT receive memorandum from employees union for additional holidays like Chhat Puja, Dr Ambedakr Birthday etc. With most of the Govt. organization following 5 days week, this entitlement is on very high side, often leading to slowness/disruption of work. Further, the present high list of holidays is unnecessarily creating disparity of public sector vis a vis private sector and is also one of factors unnecessarily creating extra charm for a Govt. job.
It is, therefore, felt that by putting a formula the problem needs to be fixed for good. All the PSU, Central Autonomous Bodies & other departments may be given liberty to choose any 12 working days as holidays annually with employees’ participation. Such a list would be more satisfying to the employees & would be in alignment with local environment.
The present list is imposing many unwarranted holidays i.e. in a Muslim majority area what is the relevance of Guru Nanak Birthday, similarly in a Hindu majority area what is the logic of closing office on Bakrid? Despite such a long list of holidays local aspirations still remain unfulfilled.
In addition, offices may be allowed to avail as many additional holidays as they want by compensating with working Saturday within the same calendar year. In this way no union would ever come with demand for any additional holidays.
Flexi Week Day: The traffic problem in cities has become grave. Travelling on working day, amidst heavy traffic, from Monday to Friday leads too much wastage of precious time & energy in jams. Courts have also suggested the Government to stagger office timings. However, while we talk about flexi hours, it is felt that we may have flexi working days as well. Some organizations may be given the liberty to opt their weekly off other than Saturday/Sunday. It could be 2 consecutive days holiday. It is felt that organisations be rather encouraged to shift weekly off from Saturday & Sunday TO Sunday & Monday OR Friday & Saturday or any other such combination. This will greatly help redistribute load on road usage, electricity consumption and even out weekend overcrowded places like movies, malls, tourists places etc.