Extraordinary Leave Notification

Extraordinary leave is a type of extended leave granted to employees under special circumstances, often without pay, when other leave options are exhausted. It is typically approved for reasons such as medical emergencies, personal crises, or significant life events, and requires formal approval from the organization. This leave ensures flexibility for employees while maintaining transparency and adherence to policies. For government employees, if the leave is availed for reasons other than medical grounds, it is typically not counted as part of their service tenure.

Extraordinary leave may be granted to any Government servant in special circumstances:

(a) When no other leave is by rule admissible, or

(b) When other leave is admissible, but the Government servant concerned applies in writing for the grant of extraordinary leave.

Government of India Provision for Extra Ordinary Leave

The Government of India has specific rules for extraordinary leave, primarily outlined in the Central Civil Services (Leave) Rules, 1972. Here are some key points:

Eligibility: Extraordinary leave may be granted to government employees in special circumstances, such as when no other leave is admissible or when the employee applies for it in writing.

Duration:

1. For employees with less than three years of continuous service, the maximum duration is typically limited to two months.

2. In special cases, it can extend to four months if supported by a medical certificate.

3. For treatment of specific medical conditions like tuberculosis or leprosy, the leave can extend up to 18 months under certain conditions.

Service Tenure: Extraordinary leave taken for non-medical reasons is generally not counted as part of the service tenure for government employees.

Approval: The leave must be approved by the competent authority, and in some cases, additional documentation (like medical certificates) is required.

Provision of Odisha Government for EOL

Except in the case of a permanent Government servant and a Government servant who has rendered not less than three years continuous service, the duration of extraordinary leave on any one occasion shall not exceed the following limits, namely:

(a) Two months;

(b) Four months in special cases, where such leave is supported by a medical certificate as required under the rules;

(c) Eighteen months where the Government servant is undergoing treatment for:

(i) Pulmonary tuberculosis either in a recognised sanatorium or at his residence under a tuberculosis specialist recognised as such by the State Administrative Medical Officer concerned;

(ii) Tuberculosis of any other part of the body by a qualified tuberculosis specialist or a Chief District Medical Officer;

(iii) Leprosy, in a recognised leprosy institution, or by a Chief District Medical Officer or a specialist in leprosy recognised as such by the State Administrative Medical Officer concerned.

Provided that concession of extraordinary leave up to eighteen months under Clause (iii) of this sub-rule shall be admissible only to those Government servants who have been in continuous Government service for a period exceeding one year:

Provided further that in the case of treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis at the residence, the Government servant shall produce a certificate from a specialist to the effect that he is under his treatment and that he has reasonable chances of recovery on the expiry of the leave recommended.

Subject to the provision of Rule 14, a Government servant not in permanent employ may be granted during deputation on training, extraordinary leave from the date of his relief till the date of resumption of duties on return from training; provided that he has completed a minimum period of one year continuous service on the date of deputation and the authority competent to grant the leave is satisfied that such training is necessary for improving the Government servant's professional knowledge.

Where a Government servant who is not in permanent employ fails to resume duty on the expiry of the maximum period of extraordinary leave granted to him or where such Government servant who is granted a lesser amount of extraordinary leave than the maximum amount admissible, remains absent from duty for any period which together with the extraordinary leave granted exceeds the limit up to which he could have been granted such leave under these rules, he shall, unless the State Government view of the exceptional circumstances of the case otherwise determine, be removed from service after following the procedure laid down in Orissa Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1962.

Conclusion: Both the Central Government and Odisha Government follow similar provisions for granting extraordinary leave (EOL), ensuring flexibility for employees under special circumstances while maintaining adherence to established policies. This alignment reflects a unified approach to leave management across various levels of governance.