Bhubaneswar: Following Central Government’s half-day holiday declaration on January 22, the State Government too announced that all of its offices and magistrate courts will remain closed for half-day (till 2.30 PM) on January 22 in view of the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya.
In a notification issued in this effect, Revenue and Disaster Management Department said, “In view of Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya, the government of Odisha have been pleased to declare that the state government offices as well as the revenue and magisterial courts (executive) will remain closed for half day till 2.30 pm on January 22, 2024 (Monday).”
This move will encourage the people to participate whole heartily in the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha festival.
Earlier in the day, the Government of India had announced a half-day holiday for all the employees of the Central Government office on January 22. All public sector banks, insurance companies will also remain closed till 2:30 pm on January 22, the Centre said in a notification.
The State Government had declared January 17 as a public holiday in the state in view of the inauguration of Parikrama Prakalpa. Leader of Opposition Jayanarayan Mishra had written to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to declare January 22 as a public holiday.