Leave encashment benefits for PGI doctors

CHANDIGARH: Now, both junior and senior resident doctors can encash their unavailed leaves, which was not allowed in PGI earlier. Every year, around 30 days’ leaves are sanctioned to residents but in case they are unable to avail these, the leaves are not paid for. “This will benefit all residents who had been pressing the demand for many years. After the maternity leave sanction in April this year, this demand has also been fulfilled,” said PGI director Prof Vivek Lal.

Previously, women resident doctors who took maternity leave were required to work for extended periods to compensate for the leave and were not paid any salary for that period. He said, “Previously, they would get nothing. On an average residents don't avail more than 10 leaves a year. The remaining would lapse. Now it will be encashed just like at AIIMS, New Delhi.” The stipend of junior and senior residents is between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh.