Ram Temple Consecration Ceremony: Banks, Insurance Firms To Observe Half-Day Closure On January 22

The Ministry of Finance released an order on Thursday, in which it stated that public sector banks, insurance companies, financial institutions, and regional rural banks will remain closed for a half-day on January 22. The decision has been taken concerning the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya. Earlier, the Department of Personnel and Training issued an order in which it stated that all Central Government offices, Central Institutions, and Central Industrial Establishments nationwide will observe a half-day closure on the day of Ram temple inauguration ceremony.

The subject of the order stated, “Half-day closing (till 2:30 PM) of Central Government Offices, Central Institutions, and Central Industrial Establishments on 22nd January 2024.”

The DOPT order allows employees to participate in the Pran Pratishtha celebration, as per the notification from the Finance Ministry. It read, “This is…to inform that DoPT’s (Department of Personnel and Training) order in respect of Central Institutions and Central Industrial Establishments shall also apply to all Public Sector Banks/ Public Sector Insurance Companies/ Public Sector Financial Institutions and Regional Rural Banks to enable employees to participate in the Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha celebrations.”

The decision comes after employees across the country requested a day off to participate in the ceremony. A government official noted, “Various activities have been planned by organisations and groups of people across India and abroad to coincide with the ceremony.”

It is pertinent to note that the Pran-Pratishtha ceremony of the Ram Temple is scheduled for January 22 at 12:30 pm. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and various dignitaries will be attending the ceremonies that will be performed in the sacred city of Ayodhya. The ceremonies commenced at the temple complex on January 16. Spanning seven days, the specific rituals will be conducted each day as part of the preparations for the Pran-Pratishtha.

The Pran Pratishtha ceremony is scheduled for Monday. The state government has also made arrangements for a live screening of the ceremony on a large screen at public places across India and abroad.