Eid Holiday Cancelled In Haryana: Government Cites Financial Year Closure

Chandigarh: The Haryana government has cancelled the Eid holiday in the state, citing the closing of the financial year 2024-25 as the reason. According to a letter issued by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, the Eid holiday, which was initially scheduled for March 31, has been converted into a restricted holiday. Earlier, March 31st was marked as a holiday on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan. Meanwhile, the Haryana government's recent decision to revise its holiday list has also drawn criticism, particularly among the Muslim community. 

According to an order issued by Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, the notification dated December 26, 2024, has been partially amended. The revised notification states that Eid-ul-Fitr, to be observed on March 31, will be considered a restricted holiday (RH) instead of a gazetted holiday. According to the officials, the decision was influenced by the fact that March 29 and 30 fall on the weekend, and March 31 marks the final day of the 2024-25 financial year.

Meanwhile, after the new guideline, the Muslim employees in the state will no longer have the day off to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. While the government has clarified that individuals from the Muslim community can still avail leave on the day, many have expressed disappointment and frustration with the decision. "It's a significant festival for us, and downgrading it to a restricted holiday is a disappointment," said one Muslim employee.

Also Read | Mass Termination at Infosys Mysuru Campus, 45 Receive Firing Mails with 'Alternative Path' Suggestions

What Is Restricted Holiday

The Haryana government's revision has also put the spotlight on the restricted holidays and how they are different from the gazetted holidays. A restricted holiday (RH) is an optional leave that employees can choose to take or not. It is not a mandatory holiday, and offices remain open. The employees can decide whether they want to take leave based on personal or religious preferences. On the other hand, a gazetted holiday (GH) is a mandatory public holiday recognised by the government, during which offices, banks, and institutions remain closed.

Not only Haryana, but the Reserve Bank of India ( RBI ) has also cancelled the holiday on March 31st due to financial year-end procedures and regulatory deadlines. This means that banks and financial institutions across the country will remain open on March 31.