The Kerala State Human Rights Commission has directed the relevant authorities to decide within a month on the leave application of a government doctor who has served for nearly 30 years. Member V. Geetha also ordered an immediate decision on salary and other benefits due to the complainant from October 2024. The directive was sent to the Director of Health Services and the District Medical Officer of Ernakulam. The commission noted that the complainant may approach the commission again if the government fails to act.
The order followed a complaint filed by Biji S. Anand, a resident of Mayyanad in Kollam, who works as a senior consultant at Ernakulam General Hospital. Anand said he had applied for leave because of health issues, but his leave was neither approved nor his salary paid. He has been continuously on leave since joining the hospital.
The Director of Health Services explained that Anand’s leave application was forwarded to a medical board for consideration, and that his salary could not be disbursed because the board’s decision was still pending. Anand also reported that he was denied medical benefits because his contribution to the Medi‑Sep health insurance scheme had not been paid.
The commission observed that the obstacles to processing Anand’s leave application had now been cleared. The commission also noted that the complainant can approach the commission again if the government fails to take action.
