NE NEWS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAY 25
Employees working in the clerk cadre at dispensaries under the Employees’ State Insurance Scheme (ESIS) have levelled serious allegations of discrimination and unequal treatment, claiming they are being deprived of government-declared public holidays, second and fourth Saturday leave benefits and legitimate compensation leave facilities available to other government employees.
The controversy has triggered growing resentment among employees, who allege that nearly 170 staff members have collectively submitted consent letters and representations demanding equal rights and uniform leave policies.
According to the employees, despite serving in administrative roles similar to clerical staff in other government departments and hospitals, they continue to be categorised as “emergency staff,” resulting in denial of several holiday benefits.
- ESIS dispensary clerks allege denial of public holidays and Saturday leave benefits
- Employees claim they lose nearly 35 to 40 holidays annually compared to other government staff
- Staff accuse authorities of granting only verbal compensation leave without official circulars
- Around 170 employees reportedly submit representations demanding equal treatment and legal clarity
‘We Are Losing Nearly 40 Holidays Every Year’
Employees alleged that while other government departments receive around 23 public holidays annually along with second and fourth Saturday holidays, ESIS dispensary clerical staff were granted only 11 public holidays during 2026.
They claimed this effectively deprives them of nearly 35 to 40 holidays every year.
The employees further alleged that although a few compensation leaves are occasionally granted, these are provided only through verbal instructions without any official government circular or written policy framework.
According to the staff, only around five compensation leaves are being given in exchange for the large number of holidays lost annually.
Employees Claim Written Representation Was Refused
The controversy intensified after employees alleged that when they personally approached authorities on April 7, 2026, to submit a written representation, their application was allegedly not accepted by the office concerned.
According to the employees, officials allegedly told them that their application was “not acceptable” and advised them to approach higher authorities if they wished to pursue the matter further.
Employees also claimed that representations were subsequently sent through employee federations and directly addressed to the offices of the Chief Minister, Health Minister, Principal Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department and the General Administration Department (GAD), but no action or formal response has been received so far.
RTI Replies Raise More Questions
Employees alleged that multiple Right to Information (RTI) applications were filed seeking clarification on whether dispensary clerks are officially classified as “emergency staff” or “administrative staff.”
However, according to them, the response received stated that “information is not available.”
The staff argue that clerical employees working in Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and even ESIS hospitals are treated as administrative staff and enjoy second and fourth Saturday holidays along with all public holiday benefits.
They questioned why only dispensary clerks are allegedly being excluded from similar entitlements.
‘Same Department, Different Rules’
Employees further alleged that offices functioning within the same department — including Director offices, Assistant Director offices and Central Medical Stores — are treated as administrative establishments and receive all regular holiday benefits.
In contrast, only clerical staff posted in dispensaries are allegedly categorised as emergency personnel and denied comparable leave facilities.
The issue has now sparked wider debate among employees over equality, workplace fairness and administrative transparency within the department.
Staff members say the continued disparity has created deep dissatisfaction and they are demanding equal holiday rights, legal clarity and uniform implementation of government leave policies across all cadres.
