Mangaluru/Udupi: The Karnataka government has advanced the Eid Milad public holiday in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts from August 26 to August 25, taking into account local circumstances.
The State Government had earlier announced August 26 as a general public holiday across Karnataka for Eid Milad. However, the Deputy Commissioners of both coastal districts requested that the holiday be moved forward by a day.
Government approves local change
The decision follows letters submitted by the Deputy Commissioners of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi on August 20, seeking a change in the holiday date.
The Karnataka Government has now directed the Deputy Commissioners to take necessary action to observe August 25 as the Eid Milad holiday in their respective districts.
The order was issued by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms and allows the two Deputy Commissioners to declare August 25 as the general public holiday in accordance with the applicable rules and local circumstances.
Holiday brings relief to coastal districts
The demand for an earlier holiday had gained momentum in Dakshina Kannada, with district in-charge Minister U T Khader also seeking that the date be advanced.
The change means government offices and other institutions covered under the State’s public holiday notification in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi will remain closed on August 25 instead of August 26.
The decision is particularly significant for the coastal districts, where community organisations and residents had sought the change to facilitate Eid Milad observances.
With the revised order now in effect, residents of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi can observe the festival on the designated holiday without waiting until August 26.
The State Government’s decision also reflects the flexibility available to district administrations to consider local circumstances while implementing public holiday arrangements.