Central government employees can now avail paid leave for blood donation, personnel ministry has said in a statement.
 
Service rules at present grant leave for whole blood donation and not apheresis (blood components such as red cells, plasma, platelets etc) donation.
 
"It is felt that the rule should cover apheresis donation as well since it will have the added advantage of getting blood components like platelets, plasma, etc," the  statement said.
 
"It has now been decided that Special Casual leave may be granted for blood donation or for apheresis donation at licensed blood banks on a working day up to a maximum of four times in a year on submission of valid proof of donation," the order said.