THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : The state will have 24 public holidays and one restricted holiday in 2015 in addition to Sundays and second Saturdays.
The General Administration Department has brought out the notification on the holidays for offices under the State Government for 2015.
The public holidays will be: Mannam Jayanthi (January 2), Milad-i-Sherief (January 3), Republic Day (January 26), Sivarathri (February 17), Maundy Thursday(April 2), Good Friday (April 3), Dr B R Ambedkar Jayanthi (April 14), Vishu (April 15), May Day (May 1), Id-ul-Fitr (Ramzan) (July 18), Karkidaka vavu (August 14), Independence Day (August 15), First Onam (August 27), Thiruvonam/Ayyankali Jayanthi (August 28), Third Onam (August 29), Sreekrishna Jayanthi (September 5), Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi Day (September 21), Id-ul-Ad’ha (Bakrid) (September 24), Gandhi Jayanthi (October 2), Mahanavami (October 22), Vijayadasami (October 23), Muharram (October 24), Deepavali (November 10) and Christmas (December 25).
In addition to these, there are two holidays - Easter (April 5) and fourth Onam/Sree Narayana Guru Jayanthi (August 30) - which fall on Sundays which is otherwise also a holiday. The dates of holidays including Milad-i-Sherief, Ramzan, Bakrid and Muharram would be subject to change depending on the sighting of moon.
As per the notification, Viswakarma Day (September 17) will be restricted holiday. Government employees, quasi-government employees and teachers belonging to Viswakarma community are permitted to avail this restricted holiday.
Avani Avittom, which is on August 29, has been excluded from the list of restricted holidays as the day falls on Third Onam which is a declared holiday, the order said.
Holidays under the Negotiable Instruments Act have also been declared. A total of 19 days - Milad-i-Sherif, Republic Day, Sivarathri, Annual closing of accounts of commercial and cooperative banks, Good Friday, Dr B R Ambedkar Jayanthi, Vishu, May Day, Id-ul-Fitr, Independence Day, first Onam, Thiruvonam, Sree Narayana Guru Samadhi day, Id-ul-Ad’ha, Gandhi Jayanthi, Mahanavami, Vijayadasami, Deepavali and Christmas - have been declared holidays under this.