Is This Employee Eligible for ESI Sickness Benefits After Taking Leave?

One employee is covered under the ESI Act. The employee joined the service on 15.10.2018. This employee took sick leave from 12.03.2019 to 20.05.2019.

Please provide your opinion with an explanation as to whether this employee is eligible for sickness benefits under ESI or not.

Sickness benefits from ESI are subject to the provisions of the Act and the regulations. A person shall be qualified to claim sickness benefit for sickness occurring during any benefit period if the contributions in respect of him were payable for not less than 78 days in the corresponding contribution period. They shall be entitled to receive such benefits at the daily standard benefit rate for the period of their sickness.