Special Casual Leave (SCL) for Blood Donation and Apheresis Donation – Updated Guidelines for Government Employees

Reference : No.2024/H-1/3/5/Blood Donation

Grant of Special Casual Leave for Blood Donation: Key Updates and Guidelines

The Department of Personnel and Training (DOP&T) has updated its guidelines on Special Casual Leave (SCL) for blood donation and apheresis donation. These updated provisions, detailed in O.M. No. 13020/1/2017-Estt.(L) dated 28.12.2017, now allow government employees to take leave not just for donating whole blood, but also for donating blood components like platelets, plasma, and red blood cells through apheresis.

Key Highlights of the Special Casual Leave for Blood Donation:

1. SCL for Whole Blood and Apheresis Donation
   Government employees are now eligible for Special Casual Leave when they donate whole blood or blood components (like platelets, plasma, and red blood cells) via apheresis on a working day. This initiative is aimed at encouraging employees to contribute towards saving lives.

2. Annual Leave Limit for Blood Donation
   Employees can avail of SCL up to 4 times per year for donating either whole blood or blood components (apheresis). The leave is granted only for the day of donation.

3. Proof of Donation Required
   To be eligible for SCL, employees must provide valid proof of donation from a licensed Blood Bank. This ensures the authenticity of the blood donation and enables the smooth processing of the leave request.

4. Inclusion of Apheresis Donation
   The updated guidelines now include apheresis donation under the existing SCL policy. Apheresis is a method of collecting specific blood components like platelets, plasma, or red blood cells, which can be more beneficial for treating specific medical conditions.

Procedure for Availing Special Casual Leave:

1. Eligibility:
   All government employees who donate blood (either whole blood or through apheresis) are eligible for SCL.

2. Documentation:
   Employees must submit a certificate or proof of donation from a licensed Blood Bank for the leave to be granted.

3. Leave Limit:
   Special Casual Leave is available up to 4 times per year for donations made on working days.

4. Approval:
   The SCL will be approved for the day of donation only, ensuring employees do not lose work hours while contributing to this noble cause.

Conclusion:

This revised policy on Special Casual Leave for blood donation and apheresis donation serves as a significant step toward encouraging life-saving donations among government employees. By extending the benefits to include apheresis donations, the government ensures that all forms of blood donation, including those for specialized blood components like platelets and plasma, are supported.

Government employees are encouraged to donate blood, help save lives, and avail of the Special Casual Leave benefit to promote a healthier community.

For more information, employees can refer to the official O.M. or contact the HR department.

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