The government is planning to declare October 22 a public holiday by executive order on the occasion of Durga Puja, which would give government employees a five-day holiday from October 20 to 24.
According to sources at the Ministry of Public Administration, the government is considering the additional holiday to create a five-day break by combining the Durga Puja holidays with the weekend.
Under the existing holiday calendar, October 20 and 21 are public holidays for Durga Puja, while October 22 is a working day. October 23 and 24 are Friday and Saturday, the weekly holidays.
If October 22 is declared a holiday, government employees will enjoy five consecutive days off from October 20 to 24.
This year, Mahalaya will be observed on October 10, followed by Maha Shashthi on October 16, Maha Saptami on October 18, Maha Ashtami on October 19, Maha Navami on October 20 and Bijoya Dashami on October 21.