Haryana government declares Eid-ul-Fitr as a restricted holiday instead of a gazetted holiday across the state this year on March 31. Meanwhile, Congress party questions the ruling BJP's move.
In Haryana, Eid-ul-Fitr will be observed as a restricted holiday instead of a gazetted holiday this year on March 31.
Haryana government declares Eid-ul-Fitr as a restricted holiday instead of a gazetted holiday across the state this year on March 31. Meanwhile, Congress party questions the ruling BJP's move.
The modification was done as March 29 and March 30 are weekends and March 31 is the closing day of the financial year (2024-25), the notification issued on Wednesday said, as reported by PTI.
According to a notification issued by the Haryana government, gazetted holidays are mandated by the government, while restricted holidays are optional – employees can avail of those if they choose to.
"The haryana government has declared a restricted holiday under Schedule-II instead of a gazetted holiday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr on March 31," an official statement released on Thursday said, as quoted by PTI.
Meanwhile, controversy has erupted after the Haryana government issued a notification on Eid-ul-Fitr. The Congress party criticises the ruling BJP's decision.
Congress leader Bhupinder Hooda asked, "Is March 31 only for Haryana?" Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini told the House that the decision was taken as March 31 is the last day of the financial year.
While questioning the government's move, Congress MLA Aftab Ahmed raised the issue during the ongoing budget session of the Haryana Assembly on Friday.
"The festival will be celebrated all over the country but the Haryana government has declared a restricted holiday on the occasion, Ahmed said, as quoted by PTI.
Later, while talking to media after the assembly proceedings ended, Saini, when asked about declaring Eid-ul-Fitr as a restricted holiday, clarified that he had already raised the matter in the House and stressed that it should not be made an issue.
"Since March 31 is the last day of the financial year, it is essential for departments to conclude various financial transactions. There is no restriction on anyone taking the restricted holiday on Eid." he said.