25 Dec is a holiday, not Good Governance Day in Goa
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 14 December 2015 19:43 IST
Goa government has clarified that 25 December would be a holiday and government employees would have four-day holiday, during Christmas.
A message spread on WhatsApp today created major confusion in Goa, stating that 25 December would be observed as Good Governance Day, making it compulsory to all the government employees to attend the office.
When contacted by goanews.com, Vijay Paranjape, joint secretary of the General Administration Department, clarified that no such circular has either been issued or has even been proposed.
He also said that in fact government employees will be able to enjoy four-day Christmas holidays this year, beginning from 24 December.
While 24th is a Restricted Holiday (RH), 25th is the official holiday for Christmas. And 26th and 27th are Saturday and Sunday.
The decision of the central government to observe 25th December, birthday of BJP’s former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, as the Good Governance Day had created furore last year.
Accordingly, Goa was exempted from making it compulsory due to Christmas festival.
The confusion was created due to following message that was forwarded through WhatsApp:
“Good Governance Day declared on 25th December for the second year in a row by BJP govt. All Christians working for state Govt will have to attend work and conduct workshops regarding good governance... BJP indirectly is trying to diminish the importance of the Birth of Christ... What more are they going to do in future..?? Aamir Khan was right... This is how the BJP is slyly making the minorities feel insecure and increase the intolerance in India... Share this and let the world come to know the truth about BJP...”
