Babus grumble over 2010 holiday calendar

NEW DELHI: Festive spirit might be in the air but gloom has descended in the corridors of power. The reason: long weekend plans have been nixed by the bearer of bad news — the government calendar.

Unlike 2009 when most holidays — 9 out of 17 gazetted holidays — fell on either Monday or Friday, 2010 has brought no cheer. As many as 8 holidays in 2010, including biggies like Dussehra, Id-ul-Fitr, Christmas and Guru Nanak Jayanti fall either on Saturday or Sunday. To make matters worse, 9 `restricted holidays' fall on the weekend as well.

In 2009, only 4 gazetted holidays fell on the weekend while 9 holidays fell on either Monday or Friday.

Government officials are understandably a little out of sorts. "The family was happy as it was a great excuse to get out of town. But this year is likely to drag on,'' muttered one disgruntled soul whose frequent trips to the hills are likely to be sacrificed next year.

Added another official, "It is hard to believe for people but it is very difficult for some civil servants to take leave depending on their job profile. The small breaks were welcome.''

There were indifferent reactions as well from those who felt that they were doomed to burn the midnight oil irrespective of a government holiday or not. "We have to hang around for as long as senior officials or ministers sit in office not because of work but just to be seen,'' an official said.

But the diehards have not given up hope yet. The silver lining to this is that Holi is on a Monday while Diwali will fall on a Friday so the extended celebrations can go on.