In Madhya Pradesh, government bank employees are eagerly looking forward to the upcoming holidays for Raksha Bandhan and Shri Krishna Janmashtami. Both festivals are deeply significant in Indian culture, and this year, they fall on the same day—Monday. The anticipation among the bank employees is palpable as they wait for the official announcement.
The wait won’t be long. According to recent reports, the General Administration Department of the state has already made preparations to declare these holidays. The final step involves the Chief Minister’s signature on the official order, which is expected to happen on Friday. Once signed, the holidays will be formally announced, bringing relief and joy to many.
Behind this upcoming announcement is the dedicated effort of the “United Forum of Bank Unions Madhya Pradesh.” This forum is an alliance of nine organizations representing bank employees and officers across the state. On August 2, the forum submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister, urging the government to declare Raksha Bandhan and Shri Krishna Janmashtami as public holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act. This act would ensure that all banks in Madhya Pradesh observe these holidays.
The forum also pointed out that in many other states across the country, banks and financial institutions are already granted holidays for these festivals. This, they argued, sets a precedent that Madhya Pradesh should follow to support its employees and maintain consistency across the banking sector.
The state government seems to be in favor of fulfilling this request. This move would not only address the immediate needs of bank employees but also highlight a larger issue. Madhya Pradesh has the fewest number of holidays during festivals compared to other states. In 2024, while other state governments have declared 25 holidays for banks and financial institutions during festivals, the Madhya Pradesh government has only declared 14.
For many bank employees, these upcoming holidays are more than just days off—they are a chance to celebrate important cultural traditions with their families and communities. The decision to declare these holidays will likely be welcomed with open arms, as it shows recognition of the importance of work-life balance, especially during festive seasons.
