Bengal government plans to reduce employee holidays to improve work culture
The Suvendu Adhikari administration aims to cut the number of public holidays in 2027 to attract more investment to the state.
The West Bengal government intends to decrease the number of holidays for its employees starting in the next calendar year, according to a report by Telegraph India. A senior official stated that there are 50 holidays for government employees in 2026, which is the highest in the country.
The official said the current number of holidays negatively impacts the state's work culture and its efforts to attract investment. While the finance department is still preparing the 2027 list, the total number of holidays is expected to drop in 2027.
A senior bureaucrat noted that the number of holidays was 35 during the Left Front regime, but the Trinamool Congress government had increased this number since 2011. The current government is expected to aim for approximately 40 holidays in 2027 to find a balance between the two previous eras.
Officials claimed the Trinamool government introduced at least 15 new holidays, including extra days for Durga Puja, Kali Puja, Bhatri Dwitiya, Chhath Puja, Eid-Ul-Fitr, and Id-Ud-Zoha. One bureaucrat mentioned that Maharashtra has 25 holidays in 2026 and is one of the most industrialised states.
The government may not remove all additional holidays at once to avoid making employees unhappy. A source suggested the administration might slash 10 additional holidays for 2027.
Another bureaucrat stated that the new government has provided a 20 per cent dearness allowance (DA) to employees and should ensure offices do not close unnecessarily.