On the occasion of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya on January 22 (Monday), public sector banks (PSBs), insurance companies, financial institutions, and regional rural banks (RRBs) across the country will remain closed for half day on that day to mark the event.
The Department of Personnel and Training issued an order for a half-day closure for central government offices on Monday. The DoPT order shall also apply to public sector banks, insurance companies, financial institutions and RRBs to enable employees to participate in the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha celebrations, a notification from the finance ministry, on Thursday said.
In a notification the finance ministry said, "This is...to inform that DoPT's order in respect of Central Institutions and Central Industrial Establishments shall also apply to all Public Sector Banks/ Public Sector Insurance Companies/ Public Sector Financial Institutions and Regional Rural Banks to enable employees to participate in the Ram Lalla 'Pran Pratishtha' celebrations."
According to the DoPT order, "The Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya will be celebrated on 22nd January 2024 across India. To enable employees to participate in the celebrations, it has been decided that all central government offices, central institutions and central industrial establishments throughout India will be closed for half day till 1430 hours on 22nd January 2024."
Going by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) holiday list, private sector banks, however, will remain open because it is a working day.
The 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of the new idol of Ram Lalla at the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple is scheduled for Monday and the ceremony is set to be performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
States which have declared holiday on January 22:
Uttar Pradesh
The state government is readying for a huge celebration on January 22. All government offices and educational institutions will be closed on Monday.
Gujarat
All government offices in Gujarat will remain closed for half a day on January 22 to celebrate the consecration of Ram temple in Ayodhya, officials said on Friday. A notification regarding the closure of offices till 2.30 pm on January 22 was issued by the state government late on Thursday night, they said.
Rajasthan
Rajasthan government on Thursday declared a half-day holiday in the state on January 22 in view of the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma made the announcement in the BJP Legislature Party meeting held at the party’s headquarters here on Thursday night, a spokesperson said. The state's order comes after the Centre announced a half-day holiday for all its employees on January 22.
Odisha
All the Odisha government offices will remain closed for half a day on January 22 on the occasion of the Ram temple consecration ceremony to be held in Ayodhya. “In view of Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya, the government of Odisha has been pleased to declare that the state government offices, as well as the revenue and magisterial courts (executive), will remain closed for half a day till 2.30 pm on January 22, 2024 (Monday),” said a notification issued by the state revenue and disaster management department. The state's order comes after the Centre announced a half-day holiday for all its employees on January 22.
Assam
The Assam government on Thursday declared a half-holiday on January 22 on the occasion of the Ram temple consecration ceremony to be held in Ayodhya. All state government offices and educational institutions in the state will remain closed till 2.30 PM on January 22 on account of the half-holiday. According to a notification issued by the General Administration Department, the governor has declared a half-holiday in view of the "celebration of the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya so as to enable the employees to participate in the celebrations".
Goa
The state government has declared January 22 a public holiday. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has ordered the closure of government buildings and schools on that day.
Tripura
All offices and educational institutions of the state government across the Tripura will remain closed till 2:30 pm on 22 January to mark the occasion.
Haryana
A statement was issued by the Haryana government stating a holiday was initiated on January 22 to commemorate the installation of Lord Ram's idol in Ayodhya.