Himachal announces next year’s list of holidays

By: Baldev S Chauhan

Shimla : Gazetted and restricted holidays to be observed during the calender year 2012 have been notified Saturday by the Himachal Pradesh government, a spokesman of the state government said.

Gazetted Holidays for the year 2012 are Statehood Day on 25th January, Republic Day on 26th January, Guru Ravidas’s Birthday on 7th February, Maha Shivratri on 20th February, Holi on 8th March, Ram Navami on 1st April, B.R. Ambekar’s birthday 14th April, Himachal Day on 15th April, Budha Purnima 6th May, Sant Guru Kabir Jayanti on 4th June.

Janamashtami on 10th August, Independence Day on 15th August, Idul’l Fitr on 20th August, Mahatma Gandhi’s birthday on 2nd October, Dussehra on 24th October, Idu’l Zuha (Bakrid) on 27th October, Maharishi Valmiki’s birthday on 29th October, Diwali on 13th November, Muharram on 25th November, Guru Nanak’s birthday on 28th November and Christmas Day on 25th December, 2012.

Gazetted Holidays for Women employees only are Raksha Bandhan on 2nd August, Karva Chauth on 2nd November and Bhai Duj on 15th November, 2012.

Restricted Holidays for the year 2012 are Makara Sankranti/Lohri on 14th January, Basanta Panchami on 28th January, Milad-un-Nabi or Id-E-Milad (birthday of Prophet Mohammad) on 5th February, Sawami Dayananda Sawarswati Jayanti on 16th February, Mahavir Jayanti on 5th April.

Good Friday on 6th April, Easter Sunday on 8th April, Vaisakhi 13th April, Parushu Ram Jayanti on 24th April, Maha Ashtami on 22nd October, Govardhan Puja 14th November, Guru Teg Bahadur’s Martyrdoom Day on 24th November and Christmas Eve on 24th December, 2012.

In addition to the gazetted holidays, all government staff will be authorised to avail two holidays out of the restricted holidays.

All deputy commissioners in the state are authorised to declare two local holidays within their jurisdiction in the event of important celebrations, fairs and festivals in the district.