Declares second Jumat-ul-vid
Srinagar, Sept 09: The government move to declare Friday, September 10, as Jumat-ul-Vida holiday with the moon not sighted Thursday evening, has raised several eyebrows, being largely dubbed as "government gimmick" and has evoked sharp resentment from the public.
According to a government order issued by the General Administration Department Thursday, September 10, 2010 shall be observed as a holiday on account of Jumat-ul-Vida, in case the moon is not sighted in the evening of 9th September, and Eid-ul-Fitr would fall Friday (Sept 10) instead of 11th September, in case the moon is sighted in the evening of September 9, 2010.
Ironically, the government had already notified Jumat-ul-Vida gazetted holiday on September 3 amid speculations whether Eid-ul-Fitr would fall on September 10 or 11.
However, the move announcing a "second" Jumat-ul-Vida - and hence a gazetted holiday - is being viewed by a large section of people as "government gimmick" to avoid last-minute (pre-Eid) clearance of bills due to them in various departments.
Incidentally, this is for the first time that the government has announced "double" Jumat-ul-Vida in a span of eight days.
People in general reacted sharply to this decision saying that there was no need to declare a holiday today as normal life returned after a gap of four days. Educational institutions were also open today and tomorrow the students could get another day.
"But government is in sleeping mode and there seems to be lack of wisdom in this decision" said a parent. Many people rang up Rising Kashmir saying that government was also contributed to halt in life and normal work first by declaring curfews and now by "imposing" holidays.
"Once Jumat-ul-Vida holiday was availed last Friday what prompted government announce yet another off day in government offices as if employees work round the clock," said one businessman.
