Babus prepare for week-long 145;mini vacation146;

Though Diwali is on October 28 Tuesday, most of the government employees have decided to leave on October 27 Monday 8212; the working day 8212; to have two more off days on October 25 the fourth Saturday and October 26 Sunday. Thus, there will be a virtual 8220;mini vacation8221; from October 25.

8220;Only those sachivalaya employees staying in Gandhinagar or Ahmedabad may prefer to report to duty on October 27, the working day. But, those hailing from distant parts of the State would certainly claim a CL that day so as to enjoy a week-long vacation and Diwali festivities with their relatives in their native places,8221; said a senior office-bearer of the Gujarat State Employees8217; Federation. The federation leader, however, told Newsline on Monday that though government employees were entitled to take CL, the administrative bosses of certain key departments in the Sachivalaya may ask them to report on duty on the working day October 27.

A senior official in the general administration department says the government usually declares a holiday even on a working day under the Negotiable Instruments Act, if that day intervenes a coupe of officially declared holidays. But, in view of prolonged holidays due to the Diwali festivities this month end, the government will not allow this facility to its employees, he said.

Besides, preparations being underway for the coming Vibrant Gujarat Global Investors8217; Summit may compel the babus in certain key departments such as Industries, Urban Development, Revenue, Finance and Science and Technology to work in their respective offices even during the Diwali break, said a senior Industries official.