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The Association of Officers of UCO Bank (AOUCB-WB) has requested the West Bengal government to declare October 17, 2026, as a holiday for banks and financial institutions in the state under the Negotiable Instruments (N.I.) Act.
The West Bengal government has already declared October 17 as a holiday for state government employees in connection with the Durga Puja celebrations. However, holiday has not been declared for Bank Employees. This means that while all the state government employees will celebrate festival, Bank employees will do the work in office.
Bankers are asking – Are festivals not important for Bank Employees? Do Bank Employees have no rights to celebrate festivals?
In a letter dated October 5, 2026, addressed to the Chief Minister of West Bengal, the association said that Maha Saptami of Durga Puja will begin during the intervening night of October 16 and 17 and will continue throughout October 17. The Puja observance will conclude in the early hours of October 18.
As per official holiday calendar, Banks in West Bengal are closed on 2, 10, 19, 20, 21 October 2026 while Durga Puja 2026 main celebrations run from October 17 to October 21, 2026 (with Mahalaya on October 10, 2026).
Banks and their employees are an important part of the state’s economic and public-service system. Bank officers and employees work throughout the year and make an important contribution to the state’s economy. Allowing them to observe Durga Puja with their families would be equally meaningful.
The Durga Puja in West Bengal is a culturally important festival. The festival is not only a religious occasion but also an important part of Bengal’s social and cultural life, bringing families and communities together.
Considering the special significance of the 2026 Puja calendar and the fact that October 17 has already been declared a holiday for state government establishments, the association has urged the Chief Minister to extend the holiday to the banking and financial-services sector under the N.I. Act.
