LG approves half-day public holiday for government offices in Delhi on January 22 for Ayodhya Ram Mandir event
All government offices in Delhi will remain closed till 2.30 pm on January 22 on the occasion of Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha' in Ayodhya.
Ram Mandir Inauguration: Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena on Saturday approved an official order for a half-day holiday for all government offices in the national capital on January 22 on the occasion of Ram Temple 'Pran Pratishtha' in Ayodhya.
According to Raj Niwas officials, the LG on January 22 approved a half-day holiday for all government offices, civic bodies and other undertakings in Delhi on account of the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
They said the order was issued by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal under which all government offices in the national capital will remain closed till 2.30 pm on January 22.
Maharashtra announces a public holiday on January 22
On Friday, the Shiv Sena-BJP government in Maharashtra announced a public holiday in the state on January 22 in view of the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony. According to an official notification from the government led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, January 22 has been declared a public holiday in the state, the day on which the Ram Lalla idol will be inaugurated at the new Ram Mandir in the temple town of Ayodhya.
The holiday was declared by the Maharashtra government under the power delegated to the states by the Union Home Ministry, the notification said.
The BJP-led Center has already announced a half-day holiday for all its offices, institutions and industrial establishments across the country on the inauguration day of Ram Mandir.
MP declares holiday for schools, half day for offices
Similarly, the Madhya Pradesh government has announced a half day for all offices in the state and a public holiday for schools and colleges on January 22, officials said.
“The entire country will celebrate the housewarming ceremony on January 22 and all offices and institutions of the state government will remain closed till 2:30 pm so that people can participate in the celebrations,” said an official government notification issued late on Thursday evening.
In two other separate notifications issued by the state's Department of School and Higher Education, the inauguration day of Ram Mandir was declared a public holiday for all schools and colleges in Madhya Pradesh.
Several other states have declared a public holiday or half-day on the historic date.
Ram Mandir 'Pran Pratishtha'
Ayodhya is gearing up to host the grand consecration ceremony at the Ram Temple in January. The 'Pran Pratishtha' rituals will be performed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will unveil the Ram Lalla idol to the world.
Elaborate security actions and arrangements have also been made in the temple town ahead of the ceremony.
“We are making the necessary safety preparations in coordination with the authorities involved. The visitors have already arrived for the 'Pran Pratishtha'. We provide close surveillance via drone cameras and human intelligence. All security gaps are being identified and addressed on priority,” said Ayodhya police chief Praveen Kumar.
(With input from agencies)