The government is considering declaring October 22 a public holiday through an executive order on the occasion of Durga Puja. If approved, the additional holiday, combined with the existing Puja holidays and weekly holidays, would give government employees a five-day break.
The information was reported by sources at the Ministry of Public Administration on Tuesday, September 28.
According to the government holiday calendar, October 20 and 21 are already public holidays for Durga Puja. October 22 is currently scheduled as a working day.
The Ministry of Public Administration is considering declaring October 22 a holiday through an executive order. The following two days, October 23 and 24, are Friday and Saturday, the regular weekly holidays.
If October 22 is declared a holiday, government employees would have a continuous five-day break from October 20 to 24.
This year, Mahalaya will be observed on October 10. Maha Shashthi will be observed on October 16, Maha Saptami on October 18, Maha Ashtami on October 19, Maha Navami on October 20 and Bijoya Dashami on October 21.
According to ministry sources, if October 22 is declared a holiday, offices would remain open on another subsequent holiday in compensation. A proposal is being prepared along these lines.
However, the proposal will require final approval from the Cabinet.
