India sheds a tear for `people`s president` APJ Abdul Kalam:

India sheds a tear for `people`s president` APJ Abdul Kalam:

7-Day Mourning Declared

No Holiday for Union Govt Schools, Offices

New Delhi: The office of the President of India had assumed a new meaning in the hearts of billions of Indians from year 2002 to 2007 – the Kalam years at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Kalam was the people's president. His endearing nature and undying commitment to see India progress and prosper had turned him into one of the most popular personalities of our times.

One of his biggest passion was to interact with students to instil in them a fire to succeed in life. His personal life story starting from a poverty-ridden childhood, to a struggle to get education, and his contribution to India's missile technology was and will always remain a source of inspiration for the country.

Dr Kalam was as well versed with the Koran as he was with the Bhagvad Gita – a secular Indian in the true sense. The common man of India is in grief today.

Social Media Abuzz With Rumors, 

No Holiday For Schools, Colleges On Tuesday

In view of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam’s sudden death on Monday, Social media is abuzz with the rumors of government order for schools to be closed on Tuesday as mark of respect. Many schools have already sent advisory that the school would remain closed on Tuesday, but there was no official declaration of any holiday by the Union government. Karnataka was among the first states to declare a holiday tomorrow for all schools and government offices, where Dr Kalam was a resident throughout his 40-years career as a DRDO scientist and holds special image among the science fraternity. 

No state holiday for schools, colleges today, 

says Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde

Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde has said that the union government has confirmed that there will be no state holiday for schools and colleges on Tuesday, following the death of ex-President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam.  

The government has declared a national mourning period of 7 days, Union Home Secretary LC Goyal had earlier said.

This is a drastic departure from convention. Protocol allows for 7 days mourning only in the event of death of a sitting President. The government's declaration therefore speaks of the standing of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam in the minds of the people as well as in political circles.

7-Day Mourning Declared, 

No Holiday for Union Govt Schools, Offices

Karnataka Declares Holiday 

The government has declared a seven-day mourning following the death of former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam but no holiday was declared on Tuesday for schools or government offices in view of the protocol that stipulates only 3-day mourning and no holiday, barring Karnataka which was home to him for over 40 years.

In view of the admiration for the former president among the people, the Centre has decided to make it a 7-day mourning that is reserved only in the event of the death of a sitting president.

The government has cleared that the schools and offices will remain open but some state governments have declared a holiday such as Karnataka, where Dr Kalam was a resident throughout his career as a DRDO scientist and holds special image among the science fraternity.

What DoPT's Order says in this regard? 

HOLIDAYS: The existing system of holidays will continue.  No holiday shall, however, be declared in the event of death of any person other than the incumbent President of India or the incumbent Prime Minister of India.  Suitable orders in this regard have already been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs vide OM No. 3/2/97-Public dated 21.11.1997.Full text of OM reproduced below:-

Government’s instructions on reduction in number of Casual Leave: DoPT OM

No. 12/9/94-JCA 

Ministry of Personnel, PG and Pensions 

Department of Personnel & Training 

North Block, New Delhi

January 14, 1998

OFFICE MEMORANDUM

SUBJECT:- Reduction in Casual Leave entitlement and various recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission in respect of number of holiday/working week etc. 

*****

 In the light of the various recommendations of Fifty Central Pay Commission contained in Chapter 118 of the Report relating to Hours of Work and Holidays etc., the following decisions have been taken by the Government.

2. WORKING WEEK: It has been decided to continue the five-day-week working system introduced since June-1985 in the civil administrative offices of Government of India. Departments whose functions are pre-dominantly marked by public dealings or of commercial nature and at present are functioning on 5-day-week basis, will review the existing arrangements and switch over to 6-day-week wherever feasible. Action taken in this regard will be reported to this Ministry within the next four months.

3. HOLIDAYS: The existing system of holidays will continue. No holiday shall, however, be declared in the event of death of any person other than the incumbent President of India or the incumbent Prime Minister of India. Suitable orders in this regard have already been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs vide OM No. 3/2/97-Public dated 21.11.1997.

4. CASUAL LEAVE ENTITLEMENT: It has also been decided to reduce with effect from Ist January, 1998 the number of days of Casual Leave for Central Government employees from the existing 12 days to 8 days in a year. Various Departments may also effect corresponding reduction with effect from Ist January, 1998 where the Casual Leave entitlement for certain categories is higher than 12 under intimation to this Ministry.

5. All Ministries/Departments may bring the above decision to the notice of all concerned under their administrative control and ensure compliance with these instructions. 

                                                                                                                                                           Sd/-

(HARINDER SINGH) 

JOINT SECRETARY TO THE GOVT. OF INDIA 

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