Government proclamation
According to ET, several state governments have declared January 22 as a holiday for their employees to allow participation in the Ayodhya Ram Mandir celebrations. Moreover, the Central Government has announced a half-day closure for all Central Government offices and institutions, impacting the operational hours of public sector banks.
Duration of bank closure
To facilitate employee participation in the festivities, banks will be closed till 2:30 PM on January 22, as per the PIB release dated January 18. This decision applies to Central Government Offices, Central Institutions, and Central Industrial Establishments nationwide.
Implications for public sector banks
Public sector banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, and regional rural banks will remain closed for half the day, resuming operations after 2:30 PM. This information, from a PTI news report, provides clarity on the temporary closure due to the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.
Private sector banks
According to the Reserve Bank of India‘s holiday list, January 22, is classified as a working day. As a result, private sector banks are expected to remain open, unaffected by the half-day closure observed by public sector banks.
Which states have declared a public holiday on January 22 for the Ram Mandir inauguration?
Several states have declared January 22 as a public holiday for the Ram Mandir inauguration. The states include Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Tripura, Odisha, Gujarat, and Assam. Government offices and educational institutions will be closed for celebrations, with some observing a half-day closure.