Bengal to end extended Puja holidays for government hospital staff from next year

Kolkata, Oct 23 (UNI) Government hospital employees in West Bengal will no longer enjoy an extended break stretching from Mahashashthi to Kojagari Lakshmi Puja from next year, West Bengal Health Minister Dr Sharadwat Mukhopadhyay announced on Friday. Declaring an end to what he described as a long-standing practice dating back to Independence, the minister said healthcare institutions could not follow the holiday pattern observed by other government departments, given their responsibility to provide essential services throughout the year. "For years, a holiday-like atmosphere prevailed in hospitals from Mahashashthi to Lakshmi Puja. This had become a tradition since 1947. From next…