Bengal to end extended Durga Puja holidays for government hospital staff from 2027

The Bengal government will end extended Durga Puja holidays for staff at state-run hospitals from 2027 and introduce a duty roster to ensure round-the-clock healthcare services, Health Minister Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay said.

Mukhopadhyay said an unwritten practice dating back to Independence allowed hospital staff to take an extended festive break from ‘Sasthi’, the sixth day of Durga Puja, until Lakshmi Puja.

“This practice will end from next year,” he said on Friday.

"The health department is not like other departments. It is an emergency department. People have to be provided services 24 hours a day, seven days a week," Mukhopadhyay said.

Under the new arrangement, hospitals will introduce a duty roster for staff from ‘Saptami’ to ‘Dashami’ during Durga Puja next year. Doctors and nurses will not have a fixed roster but must remain available at hospitals as required, he said.

"Those who are currently on leave have also been directed to join work from today," the minister said.

The announcement followed reports of doctors and other officials remaining absent from hospitals during the festive period, with allegations that some had taken leave without permission.

Mukhopadhyay met health department officials on Friday and expressed displeasure over the reported absences.

"This is a shameful matter. Government employees are employees of the people. The health department is an emergency department. We do not have any festivals. We have to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week," he asserted.