Darjeeling leave bar order nixed... DM revoked leave order

TT, Darjeeling: Darjeeling district magistrate Joyoshi Dasgupta on Tuesday revoked her order that had barred all central and state government employees from taking leave from March 1 to July 31 in view of general elections.

Sources said the order had been revoked following directions from higher-ups.

Asked about the decision, Dasgupta told The Telegraph on Tuesday: "Yes, the order has been revoked today." The DM, who is also the district election officer, did not cite any particular reason for the U-turn.

Sources, however, said growing resentment among employees could be one of the reasons behind the revocation of the order.

Dasgupta had on Monday said the decision to bar leave had been taken because a large number of employees were seeking holidays for April and May.

School leaving examinations get over by mid-April and many employees do take a break for vacation.

On February 16, Dasgupta had issued an order to heads of all state and central government offices in Darjeeling district that leave should not be granted to any employee from March 1 to July 31 because of coming Parliament elections.

The order sent to all sub-divisions and blocks stated that an employee could be granted leave only for medical reasons, and that too, after approval of the medical board.