The Finance Department of West Bengal releases the official holiday list every year. This list includes the public holidays, additional holidays for state government offices, and sectional holidays for specific communities. The West Bengal holiday list for 2024 has been officially notified, detailing the holidays under the Negotiable Instrument (NI) Act, state government holidays, and sectional holidays. Let’s explore the details.
Purpose of the Holiday List
The holiday list serves multiple purposes:
- It ensures uniformity in holidays for government offices.
- It helps people plan their personal and professional commitments.
- It recognizes the cultural and religious diversity of the state.
Public Holidays under the Negotiable Instrument Act (List-I)
These are mandatory holidays observed by all government and banking institutions. The public holidays for 2024 include:
- Swami Vivekananda’s Birthday: January 12 (Friday)
- Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Birthday: January 23 (Tuesday)
- Republic Day: January 26 (Friday)
- Saraswati Puja (Sree Panchami): February 14 (Wednesday)
- Doljatra: March 25 (Monday)
- Good Friday: March 29 (Friday)
- Eid-ul-Fitr: April 11 (Thursday)
- May Day: May 1 (Wednesday)
- Rabindranath Tagore’s Birthday: May 8 (Wednesday)
- Buddha Purnima: May 23 (Thursday)
- Bakrid (Eid-ul-Zoha): June 17 (Monday)
- Muharram: July 17 (Wednesday)
- Independence Day: August 15 (Thursday)
- Gandhi Jayanti and Mahalaya: October 2 (Wednesday)
- Durga Puja (Maha Saptami): October 10 (Thursday)
- Durga Puja (Maha Ashtami and Maha Nabami): October 11 (Friday)
- Durga Puja (Dasami): October 12 (Saturday)
- Lakshmi Puja: October 16 (Wednesday)
- Kali Puja: October 31 (Thursday)
- Guru Nanak’s Birthday: November 15 (Friday)
- Christmas Day: December 25 (Wednesday)
In addition to these, banks observe Yearly Closing of Accounts on April 1 (Monday).
State Government Holidays (List-II)
These holidays are specific to state government offices, excluding certain departments like the Registrar of Assurances and the Collector of Stamp Revenue in Kolkata. These include:
- New Year’s Day: January 1 (Monday)
- Day before Saraswati Puja: February 13 (Tuesday)
- Shab-e-Barat: February 26 (Monday)
- Shivaratri: March 8 (Friday)
- Day after Doljatra: March 26 (Tuesday)
- Harichand Thakur’s Birthday: April 6 (Saturday)
- Day before Eid-ul-Fitr: April 10 (Wednesday)
- Rakhi Bandhan: August 19 (Monday)
- Janmashtami: August 26 (Monday)
- Fateha-Dwaz-Daham: September 16 (Monday)
- Durga Puja (Maha Chaturthi): October 7 (Monday)
- Durga Puja (Maha Panchami): October 8 (Tuesday)
- Durga Puja (Maha Shashthi): October 9 (Wednesday)
- Additional Durga Puja Holidays: October 14 and 15 (Monday and Tuesday)
- Additional Lakshmi Puja Holidays: October 17 and 18 (Thursday and Friday)
- Day after Bhai Dooj (Bhratridwitiya): November 4 (Monday)
- Chhath Puja: November 7 (Thursday) and November 8 (Friday)
Sectional Holidays (List-III)
Sectional holidays are meant for specific communities and are optional. Some of the sectional holidays for 2024 include:
- Guru Rabidas’ Birthday: February 24 (Saturday) – For followers of Guru Rabidas
- Easter Saturday: March 30 (Saturday) – For Christians only
- Hul Diwas: June 30 (Sunday) – For the Adivasi (Santhal) community
Special Notes and Observations
- Sundays as Public Holidays: Sundays are already holidays under the NI Act. Hence, festivals like Bengali New Year (Nababarsha), Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Birthday, and Mahavir Jayanti, which fall on Sundays, are not listed separately.
- Double Asterisk Holidays: Holidays marked with (**) apply only to government offices where Saturdays are not observed as full holidays.
- Muslim Festivals: The dates for Eid-ul-Fitr, Bakrid, Muharram, Shab-e-Barat, and Fateha-Dwaz-Daham depend on moon sighting. If the date changes, a separate notification will be issued.
How to Access the PDF
The holiday list PDF for 2024 can be accessed through the official website of the Finance Department of West Bengal. Steps to download the PDF:
- Visit the official website.
- Look for the notification section or holiday list tab.
- Click on the link for “Holiday List 2024.”
- Download the PDF for future reference.
Why is the Holiday List Important?
- Work Planning: It helps employees and businesses schedule work efficiently.
- Cultural Importance: The list acknowledges diverse festivals, ensuring inclusivity.
- Employee Benefits: Government employees can enjoy predefined leaves without conflicts.
Conclusion
The holiday list released by the Finance Department of West Bengal for 2024 is comprehensive. It includes public, state-specific, and sectional holidays. The list ensures respect for cultural and religious sentiments while supporting efficient work planning. For more details, download the official PDF from the government website.