J&K Govt announces ‘half day’ holiday today

Jammu, Jan 21: J&K government Sunday declared “half-day public holiday” on January 22, 2024, in the Union Territory, in connection with the Ram temple consecration ceremony at Ayodhya.

The order was issued in compliance with the circular issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions on January 18, 2024.

In consonance with the order issued by the UT government, the Jammu and Kashmir Bank branches and its other offices, outlets will also remain closed for “half-day” across the Union Territory.

Through a related yet separate order, the J&K government also declared the observance of “Dry Day” on January 22, with the closure of all liquor shops from January 21 evening (from 9 pm) till January 23, up to 9 am, all across the Union Territory.

Permission to serve liquor, already accorded for January 22, in favour of any premise or private person, too has been rescinded.

“In continuation of Government Order No 1582-JK(GAD) of 2023 dated December 11, 2023 and Government Order No 1583-JK(GAD) of 2023 December 11, 2023, it is hereby ordered that half-day public holiday (till 2.30 pm) shall be observed on January 22, 2024, in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir,” ordered GAD Commissioner Secretary Sanjeev Verma, while referring to the Circular F No 12/7/2023-JCA dated January 18, 2024, issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions (Department of Personnel & Training), Government of India regarding Shri Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya.

Invoking this order of the UT government, the Jammu and Kashmir Bank authorities have also declared a “half-day” public holiday on Monday in view of the consecration ceremony of Ram temple in Ayodhya.

However, the bank branches outside J&K will work as per the directives of their respective local administrations.

“All the concerned are hereby informed that as per directions of the Government of J&K vide its order No 203-JK (GAD)dated January 21, 2024, all the branches/ECs/EBUs/Offices of the Bank shall observe a half-public holiday (till 2.30 pm) on January 22, 2024 (Monday) in the UT of J&K on account of Shri Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya,” read a notification issued by J&K Bank.

“Branches/offices outside J&K shall follow the orders of their respective local administrations,” it added.

Through a separate order, the Excise Commissioner J&K has declared ‘Dry Day’ in the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on January 22, in terms of the sub-rule 10 of rule 38 of the Jammu & Kashmir Liquor License and Sale Rules, 1984.

“No sale of liquor shall be allowed from the retail vends (off and on premises) on this day in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. All wine shops and vends off-premises shall close at 9 pm on January 21, 2024 and shall re-open at 9 am on January 23, 2024; and vends (on-premises)/Bars in Hotels/Restaurants/Clubs/Banquets etc shall close at 11 pm on January 21, 2024 and shall re-open at 10 am on January 23, 2024,” read an order issued by Excise Commissioner J&K Pankaj Kumar Sharma.

“Further, permission to serve liquor on social occasions (if any) granted for January 22, 2024 in favour of any premise or private person be treated as cancelled ab initio,” he has further directed.