National Holidays
There are three National Holidays Republic Day (Jan 26), Independence Day (Aug 15), and Mahatma Gandhi's birthday (Oct 2). These are observed everywhere, and all government offices and businesses are closed.
All- India Public Holidays
In addition to the three National holidays, there are 14 all- India Public holidays, when all offices of the central government and banks remain closed. Of these, 11 are compulsory nationwide, and another 3 are decided on a state basis. In the spirit of India's cultural and religious pluralism, these holidays include the festivals of major religions (Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism, Christianity and Buddhism). Most being scheduled on a lunar calendar, they come on different dates each year.
State Public Holidays
In each of India's 29 states and 7 Union Territories, there are additional holidays, both religious and secular. India is so regionally varied that no two states observe exactly the same mix of holidays and festivals. Different states have different regionally based festivals. A number of states celebrate 01 May as Labor Day. In Maharashtra, the Parsee New Year is on the list. In Punjab, there are a number of additional holidays relating to Sikhism. The state of Tamilnadu has a total of 24 public holidays. Each state issues a yearly list of its public holidays for the coming year.
Restricted Holidays
Another category of holidays is the so-called restricted holidays. These are holidays from which individuals may choose a limited number, though government offices and businesses don't close. This system allows yet more flexibility for accommodating India's religious and cultural pluralism.
Bank Holidays
According to the list of holidays announced for bank employees for the calendar year 2008, no holiday has been declared for the major festivals such as Makara Sankaranthi (January 15), Mahaveer Jayanti (April 18), Basaveshwara Jayanti ((May 8), Mahalaya Amavasya (September 29) Ayudha Puja (October 8) and Naraka Chaturdasi (October 27). In contrast, most State Governments have declared a holiday for all these festivals. No parity amongst states Karnataka much less (only 19 for the current year) than what has been given to the banks in Kerala (25) and West Bengal (20).
Ad Hoc Holidays
Holidays may also be declared for ad hoc reasons such as the death of a respected national leader or for election days. Industrial strikes, especially the general strikes called "bandh," can result in de facto work holidays as well. Finally, in cricket dizzy populace, there are the unofficial cricket holidays around major test matches, when employees are at work, but thoroughly distracted, or may even report sick and day treated as casual leave!
How many Productive Days are left for the Bureaucracy?
364 days in a year minus all weekend holidays plus all holidays listed above, plus annual and casual leave. Does the bureaucracy have time to check and ensure, that there is appropriate delivery mechanism for the many well- intended Government schemes for the ESM, the poor and marginalised citizens of our Nation?
Contrast this with a serving soldier who is entitled 2 months annual leave and 20 days casual leave (80 days) in a year. He is on duty 24x7 for remaining 284 days of the year. In the Armed Forces as per tradition and camaraderie leave is a privilege and not a right.
