SHILLONG: BSNL employees will finally get holiday on Good Friday.
After a meeting of the telecom company’s general manager in the district, PG Nirmal, Information and Public Relations Minister AL Hek told reporters that the decision to declare Good Friday as a working day was not taken by the Centre but the corporate body of BSNL.
“The corporate office issued a notification that it is not compulsory or mandatory and not to make it a working day. However, it was meant only for account section and consumer service centre,” Hek said.
“The order also has been reversed by the corporate office. It is a holiday and not a working day,” he added.
Good Friday is listed as a holiday under the Negotiable Instruments Act 1881. The minister said the day is not a working day for central or state government offices in the state.
Meanwhile, Home Minister James Sangma, who was also present at the meeting, was grateful to BSNL for “considering the sentiments of the people in the state and to revise the order”.
Parties and social organisations were up in arms against BSNL’s notification to keep the office open on March 30.
No govt office can function on Good Friday: Alphons
Union Tourism Minister KJ Alphons said Good Friday is a national holiday and no government office can function on such an important day.
Alphons’ reaction came after BSNL last week asked its employees to come to the office on Friday.
He also expressed concern over the Congress running a misinformation campaign regarding declaration of Good Friday as a working day.
“There is no such thing. Friday is a national holiday,” Alphons said and added that he had already taken up the matter with the officials of the department concerned.
“I have called up the secretary, telecommunications, and apprised him about the matter. I even told him that since it is a solemn occasion, even customer-meet cannot be held,” he said.
