Christian Holidays restored in Goa

Good Friday and Feast of St Francis Xavier figure in this year's government list of public holidays.

Panaji, Goa, India., Nov. 26 - Criticism from its political allies has compelled the BJP government in Goa to restore the Christian holidays it had tried to knock off the public holidays' list last year.

Good Friday and the Feast of St Francis Xavier, which have traditionally been official holidays in the State, figure in this year's government list of public holidays.

Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar had courted controversy last year when he tried to cut down on holidays by turning these, along with Gudi Padva and Dussera into restricted holidays. Reactions from its allies had forced the government to restore the status quo at the time.

The Goa Government also announced that no religious, social or private functions would be allowed in government offices during work hours. Such activity disrupted work and inconvenienced the public, the government circular said. Functions outside of work hours are to be permitted in special cases.