The Haryana government has declared March 31 a holiday for private offices and institutions adhering to the state’s gazetted holiday list, ensuring broader observance of Eid-ul-Fitr despite earlier adjustments for the financial year’s close.

This decision, announced late Sunday, modifies a Thursday notification that had downgraded Eid-ul-Fitr from a gazetted to a restricted holiday due to its coincidence with the fiscal year-end on March 31, following weekend days on March 29 and 30.

Initially, the shift to a restricted holiday—optional for employees—sparked debate, as gazetted holidays mandate closures across government and aligned private entities. The updated order clarifies that private offices following the gazetted list will treat March 31 as a full holiday.

Additionally, government employees who have exhausted their restricted holiday quotas will receive an extra day off, accommodating those wishing to celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.

The move follows criticism from opposition leaders, notably Congress MLA Aftab Ahmed from Nuh, who raised the issue in the Haryana Assembly on Friday. Ahmed pointed out that while Eid-ul-Fitr is celebrated nationwide, Haryana’s initial restricted holiday status deviated from the norm.

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini defended the original decision, citing the need to finalize financial transactions on March 31, the last day of the 2024-25 fiscal year. “It should not be made an issue,” Saini told the Assembly, later emphasizing to reporters that no one is barred from taking leave.

The adjustment reflects a balancing act between administrative priorities and cultural sensitivities in a state where Muslim voters influence several constituencies. With this clarification, Haryana aligns private sector observance with the festival’s significance, ensuring both fiscal duties and religious celebrations are addressed as Eid-ul-Fitr dawns on Monday.