Public Holiday Plea for Diwali; UP Gramin Bank Officers Seek Extended Leave

The Prathama UP Gramin Bank Officers' Association (PUPGBOA) has made an urgent appeal to the Uttar Pradesh government, seeking to extend the public holidays for the upcoming Diwali festival in 2025. The association, in a letter to the Chief Minister, has requested that October 21 be declared a public holiday, in addition to the already announced holidays on October 20 (Diwali), October 22 (Govardhan Puja), and October 23 (Bhai Dooj). The core argument for the extension is the pressing need for bank employees, especially those living in remote areas, to manage difficult travel conditions and spend quality time with their families during the crucial festival period.


Image-PUPGBOA letter to the Uttar Pradesh government
Rationale for the Additional Holiday
The letter highlights the challenges faced by bank employees, many of whom work in locations distant from their native places. The PUPGBOA argues that traveling to their hometowns and returning to duty immediately after the officially announced holidays of October 20, 22, and 23 is extremely difficult and inconvenient. The existing arrangement, which forces a break in the festival period, makes the journey back a challenging and unmanageable task due to the heavy rush and crowds typical during major festivals. Consequently, the safety and security of the traveling staff are also cited as major concerns.

Benefits of the Proposed Extension
Declaring October 21 as a public holiday would ensure a continuous block of leave from October 20 through October 23. The Association contends that this would allow employees to travel, celebrate with their families, and then return to their workplaces refreshed and ready to resume duties. The anticipated benefits of this administrative relief are clearly stated: