2nd Saturday off in Sikkim is now passe’

SNS, Gangtok, 22 May 2014: Here’s bad news for some, good news for some private employees and educational institutions in Sikkim. They will henceforth not be able to enjoy a day off on second Saturday of every month.

A notification issued today by the State Home Department said the “Governor of Sikkim is pleased to declare that henceforth all second Saturdays will be working days in all government office, public sector undertakings and educational institutions under the government of Sikkim.”

The notification that came into “immediate effect” deducts the remaining seven second Saturday holidays from all government employees and students of government institutions.

Every year, employees used to get additional 12-day holidays on account of the second Saturdays of every month.While a section of the people have welcomed the decision, the announcement that came a day after chief minister Pawan Chamling assumed office for his 5th term has irked others.

The second Saturday holiday tradition dates back to the East India Company days.“I am happy that the state government has discontinued the holiday, because this will help many like me to complete their work even on a second Saturday. Many a times, our official works get delayed due to the second Saturday,” an employee in the private sector said.“It’s good as more day means more work and less pending assignments, let’s not simply waste time as in Sikkim, we have too many holidays,” said an employee of the Sikkim Police. “Look at us, we work for 24x7, and its high time others also become more dedicated,” a police official said.The opposition Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) on the other hand reacted against the announcement.

“Benefits hitherto enjoyed by government employees should not be withdrawn. Withdrawal of the second Saturday holiday is the government’s betrayal. If the government is judicious, all Saturdays should be declared holidays,” SKM Leader TN Dhakal said.