REGIONAL

JK admin grants half-day holiday to employees for Ram Mandir foundation ceremony

By News Desk

January 21, 2024

The Jammu Kashmir administration has announced a half-day holiday for employees to witness the foundation ceremony of the Ram Mandir.

As per Circular No. 12/7/2023-JCA dated 18 January 2024 from the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Government of India, regarding Shri Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya.

Government Order No.203-JK (GAD) of 2024, in possesion of The Kashmiriyat, dated,  21.01.2024, read in continuation of previous orders, declares a half-day public holiday (till 2:30 p.m.) on 22nd January 2024 in Jammu Kashmir.

The central government has also granted a half-day off for its offices and public sector banks, resuming operations at 2:30 p.m.

Private sector banks will remain open as per the Reserve Bank of India’s holiday list, confirmed by the Finance Ministry.

In anticipation of the historic consecration ceremony, the idol of Ram has been placed inside the temple’s sanctum sanctorum.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries will attend the inauguration, joined by thousands of seers and the families of laborers who contributed to the temple’s construction.

A mosque that stood at the place was demolished by Hindutva mobs on 6 December, 1992 wich was followed by years of legal battle. The Supreme Court in 2019 ruled that the Mandir should be constructed at the place.