States » EastPosted at: Oct 24 2026 12:11AM


Bengal to end extended Puja holidays for government hospital staff from next year

Kolkata, Oct 23 (UNI) Government hospital employees in West Bengal will no longer enjoy an extended break stretching from Mahashashthi to Kojagari Lakshmi Puja from next year, West Bengal Health Minister Dr Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay announced on Friday.
Declaring an end to what he described as a long-standing practice dating back to Independence, the minister said healthcare institutions could not follow the holiday pattern observed by other government departments, given their responsibility to provide essential services throughout the year.
“For years, a holiday-like atmosphere prevailed in hospitals from Mahashashthi to Lakshmi Puja. This had become a tradition since 1947. From next year, this practice must stop,” Dr Mukhopadhyay said.
He clarified that government hospitals would follow a special duty roster during the four main days of Durga Puja — Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami — instead of allowing the extended holiday period to disrupt regular operations.
“Only a Puja roster will be in place for Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami. Those who have been on leave have been asked to cancel their leave and report for duty from today,” the minister said.
According to Dr Mukhopadhyay, this year's arrangements have already marked a departure from the earlier practice. Teaching staff and principals of medical colleges, medical superintendents and vice-principals (MSVPs), non-medical superintendents and sanitation workers have returned to work, following the pattern applicable to other government departments.
The minister emphasised that the change was intended to ensure that public healthcare services remained functional during the festive season, when hospitals must continue to respond to emergencies and other medical requirements.
Under the proposed arrangements for next year's Durga Puja, staffing levels will be maintained at approximately 50 per cent of the normal strength on the four principal festival days. However, this provision will apply only to non-medical personnel.
Doctors and nurses will not be covered by a predetermined roster specifying their festival duties, the minister said. Their presence will instead be determined by the requirements of individual hospitals and the demands of patient care.
The distinction, he indicated, was necessary because medical services cannot be suspended or reduced according to a fixed holiday schedule. Hospitals must retain the flexibility to deploy healthcare professionals wherever their services are required.
The decision signals a shift in the state's approach to festive leave in government healthcare institutions. While government offices traditionally experience an extended holiday atmosphere during Durga Puja, hospitals are expected to maintain essential services throughout the period.
Dr Mukhopadhyay reiterated that the practice of treating the period from Mahashashthi to Lakshmi Puja as an extended holiday had continued for decades but would no longer be permitted.
The government is expected to implement the revised arrangements from next year's Durga Puja, with the special roster covering the four principal days of the festival and medical personnel remaining available according to hospital requirements.
The announcement comes as the state seeks to ensure uninterrupted healthcare delivery during one of Bengal's busiest festive periods.
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