Pongal Holiday is not in the List of Compulsory Holidays 2017
In Tamil Nadu, agitation Programme is being organised against the government decision of not including the Pongal Holiday in the list of Compulsory Holidays for the year 2017 for central government offices.
It is quite a surprise that some Political parties and Tamil Media are telling that Central Government has removed the Pongal holidays from the List of Compulsory Holidays for the year 2017.
Since 2009, there is no such order issued by DoPT (A Nodal Ministry for Central government employees) that includes Pongal festival in the List of Compulsory Holidays. The Orders for Central Government Holidays from the year 2009 are available in DOPT website
The Holiday for the Festivals which are celebrated in States shall be decided by the Central Government Employees Welfare Coordination Committee in the State Capitals, if necessary, in consultation with Coordination Committees at other places in the State from the list of restricted Holidays declared by central government. There are three such Holidays can be decided by State Coordination committees or Co Ordination committees in Departments for Central Governments offices functioning in States.
Raed more at http://www.gservants.com/
I fail to understand how a person who is not aware of this position for the past 8 years served the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers of Tamil Nadu Chapter. Not to speak of Tamil Nadu politicians. They all made a hue and cry thinking that they are all well versed with the procedure of declaring closed holidays for the Central Govt. Offices in Tamil Nadu. One leader who served as a Central Minister also contributed to this cry. What a pity!