KATHMANDU, March 17: Many may not be aware that certain government offices remain open even on public holidays. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) issued a notice in the gazette on March 16, 2023, declaring that government offices providing essential services would operate on 18 types of public holidays.
The decision to keep the essential services open was announced in the gazette. Accordingly, offices such as the Citizenship Department, Passport Office, National Identity Card and Citizenship Section of the District Administration Office, Survey Offices, and Department of Customs remain operational on public holidays. As per the notice published in the gazette, these offices are required to provide regular services on these holidays.
According to MoHA, government offices providing essential services remain open on public holidays like Ubhauli Festival – Chandi Purnima, Buddha Jayanti, Republic Day, Gaijatra, Rakshabandhan, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Indrajatra, Ghatastapana, Christmas Day, Udhauli Festival of the Kirat community, Yomari Punhi – Jyapu Day, Tamu Lhosar, Buddha Jayanti, and Maghi Festival.
Essential offices to be open even on public holidays
A gazette notice stated that essential services would be available even on Janayudhha Diwas (People’s War Day). However, the Supreme Court canceled the decision to declare Janayudhha Diwas as a public holiday.
Likewise, essential services are available on public holidays such as Democracy Day, Mahashivratri, International Women's Day, Ghode Jatra, Eid Ul Fitr, Bakar Eid, and Machhindranath Jatra and Bhoto Jatra.
Although these offices providing essential services are open on public holidays, many service users are unaware of this fact. Due to this, these offices often remain deserted during public holidays, despite being open to provide essential services.
Bidhur Khanal, Director General of the Department of Land Management and Archives, mentioned that even though land revenue offices are open nationwide on public holidays, the number of service seekers is minimal because they are unaware of the office hours. He said that with fewer customers, there are also fewer staff members present on those days.
"On holidays, we have a minimal staff presence. We accept applications and assist with identifications. However, there are very few service-seekers," stated Khanal. Survey offices also operate on public holidays, but their workload depends on the number of customers.
Hari Prasad Sharma, assistant chief district officer and spokesperson at the District Administration Office, Kathmandu, emphasized that although offices providing essential services are open on holidays as well, not all employees are required to be present. Nonetheless, the services provided to the public continue uninterrupted. "Even on holidays, we conduct our work as usual. The work never stops," he added.
He added that at the District Administration Office Kathmandu, the number of service seekers and the workload remain consistent on holidays as on regular days. The gazette issued by the MoHA specifies that offices providing essential services will remain closed on Saturdays, as well as during Dashain and Tihar holidays throughout the year.
