SHILLONG: The order to keep the BSNL office open on Good Friday was reversed after a meeting of the general manager Telecom District, BSNL, P G Nirmal, with the Home Minister, James Sangma and Information & Public Relations Minister A L Hek.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Hek informed that he was told by Nirmal that the notification to open the office on Good Friday was not from the Government of India but it was issued by the corporate body.
“The corporate office issued a notification that it was not compulsory or mandatory and not to make it a working day. However, it was meant only for account section and consumer service center,” Hek said.
“The order also has been reversed by the corporate office. It is a holiday and not a working day,” he added.
Stating that Good Friday is listed as a holiday under Negotiable Instruments Act 1881, the Minister said that the particular day was not a working day for Central or state government offices within the state.
Meanwhile, Home Minister, James Sangma was grateful to the BSNL for “taking into consideration the sentiments of the people in the state and to revised the order.”
It may be mentioned political parties and social organisations have opposed the move of the telecommunications company to keep its office open on Good Friday asserting that it is unacceptable for the office to be open in a Christian-majority state on this day.
