(2) The amount of sick leave which may be granted by the Head of Department to an officer on a medical certificate issued by a private practitioner without countersignature by a Government medical officer under General Order 125(2) shall not exceed fifteen days in any one calendar year.

(3) The Head of Department may approve any sick leave exceeding a period of fifteen days on a medical certificate issued by a private practitioner if the medical certificate is countersigned by a Government medical officer.

(4) If the medical certificate mentioned in paragraph (3) is not countersigned by a Government medical officer, the Head of Department shall deduct the vacation leave of the officer equivalent to any period exceeding fifteen days in the medical certificate, and if the vacation leave of the officer has been exhausted, he shall be directed to take leave without pay for such period.