J&K Government issues list of holidays for calendar year 2024

Jammu, Dec 11: The government Monday issued a list of holidays to be observed in its (government) offices and educational institutions of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir during the calendar year- 2024.

Through a separate order, the government also issued a list of 25 public holidays for the calendar year-2024, under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

As per GAD order, the holidays to be observed throughout the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir during the calendar year, 2024 will include Guru Gobind Singh Ji's birthday on January 17; Republic Day on January 26; Shab-i-Miraj on February 7; Maha Shivratri on March 8; Nauroz on March 21; Jumat-ul-Vida on April 5; Shab-i-Qadr on April 7; 1st Navratra on April 9; Eid-ul-Fitr on April 11; Baisakhi on April 13; Birthday of Dr B R Ambedkar on April 14; Ram Navami on April 17; Buddha Purnima on May 23; Eid-ul-Azha on June 17 and 18; Guru Hargobind Ji's birthday on July 5; Ashoora on July 17; Independence Day on August 15; Janamashtami on August 26; Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi (SAW) on September 16; Friday following Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi (SAW) on September 20; Birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji on September 23; Mahatma Gandhi's birthday on October 2; Mahanavami on October12; Dussehra on October 12; Accession Day on October 26; Diwali on November 1; Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birthday on November 15 and Christmas on December 25.

Another annexure appended to this order also enlisted provincial, local and restricted holidays.

For Kashmir province, the provisional holidays will include Friday following Shab-i-Miraj on February 9: Urs Shah-i-Hamdan Sahib (R.A) on June 13; Mela Khir Bhawani on June 14 and Urs Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Sahib (R.A) on September 30, 2024.

Provincial holidays for Jammu province will include Lohri on January 13; Shri Guru Ravidass' birthday on February 24 and Holi on March 25, 2024.

The list of local holidays will include Good Friday ( for Jammu district only) on March 29; Mela Bahu Fort (for Jammu district only) on April 16; Mahavir Jayanti ( for Jammu district only) on April 21; Urs Shah Farid-ud-Din Sahib (R.A) (for Kishtwar district only) on June 21; Sarthal Devi Ji Yatra (for Kishtwar district only) on July 14 and 15; Kailash Yatra (for tehsil Bhaderwah and tehsil Bhalla only) on August 30 and 31; Mela Pat ( for tehsil Bhaderwah and tehsil Bhalla only) on September 9 and 10 and Urs Shah Asrar-ud-Din Sahib (R.A) (for Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts only) on November 10, 2024.

List of Restricted holidays will include Parshuram Jayanti (for Jammu province only) on May 10; Martyr's Day of Guru Arjun Dev Ji on June 16; Kabir Jayanti (for Jammu province only) on June 22 and Raksha Bandhan on August 19, 2024.

Through a separate order, the government has issued a list of 25 public holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by the explanation of Section 25 of Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 (Central Act 26 of 1881) read with Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs Notification No.20/25/56/Pub-l5t dated November 30, 1957, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby declares these days to be public holidays during the calendar year, 2024,” the order read, while referring to the annexure of holidays, appended with it.

The list of holidays to be observed during the calendar year 2024 under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881 will include Republic Day on January 26; Maha Shivratri on March 8; Holi (for Jammu province only) on March 25; Yearly Closing of Banks (for Banks only) on April 1; Jumat-ul-Vida on April 5; Shab-i-Qadr on April 7; 1st Navratra on April 9; Eid-ul-Fitr on April 11; Baisakhi on April 13; Birthday of Dr B R Ambedkar on April 14; Buddha Purnima on May 23; Eid-ul-Azha on June 17 and 18; Guru Hargobind Ji's birthday on July 5; Ashoora on July 17; Independence Day on August 15; Janamashtami on August 26; Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi (SAW) on September 16; Friday following Eid-i-Milad-ul-Nabi (SAW) on September 20; Birthday of Maharaja Hari Singh Ji on September 23; Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday on October 2; Dussehra on October 12; Accession Day on October 26; Diwali on November 1; Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birthday on November 15 and Christmas on December 25, 2024.

“All the Muslim holidays are subject to the appearance of the Moon,” both the orders specified.