DHANUSHA, Aug 27: Gyanendra Yadav, Minister for Internal Affairs and Law of Province 2 has padlocked the branch of Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), Janakpur for violating the decision of the provincial government to observe public holiday on Sunday.
Through a notice in the gazette, the provincial government had declared public holiday on Sunday on the occasion of Janai Purnima and Rakshya Bandhan festival. However, some offices under the federal government ignored the provincial government’s decision and were open on Sunday. This ‘irked’ the provincial government. As a result, Minister Yadav reached Janakpur and padlocked the NRB office, which was open.
According to Minister Yadav, the provincial government has the constitutional authority to announce public holidays but some authorities under the federal government are disrespecting the decision of province. He also warned of taking legal action against other authorities if they violated the order of the provincial government.
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As per the new Muluki codes, which came into effect from August 17, provincial governments can announce public holidays. Earlier, Province 2 had declared a public holiday on August 22 for Bakr-eid, the second biggest festival of Muslims. On that day too, seven ministries and several offices under provincial government remained shut while the offices under the federal government remained open. Even the District Administration Office was open on that day.
Apart from that, courts, banks and financial institutions, police units among others, that are under the federal government remained open that day. Minister Yadav hinted that the inability of the federal government to make its subordinate bodies to implement the decision of province might bring bitterness in the relationship between the two governments.
Province 2 has added 10 more public holidays for the current fiscal year.
