Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami ordered a public holiday on Oct 29 for female employees to observe Karwa Chauth.
Karwa Chauth, a fasting festival celebrated by married women across North India, marks devotion to husbands and the sanctity of marital bonds.
Dhami said the move safeguards women's interests while respecting cultural heritage. 'The state government strives to ensure development and cultural traditions coexist,' he added, citing the festival's role in fostering love, trust, and mutual dedication within families.
All state government offices will remain open for male employees on Oct 29, while female staff will receive the day off. HR departments will enforce the holiday, and the directive may be extended to public sector units.
The ban on female employees’ work on this day aims to give married women the chance to observe the fast without professional obligations, a gesture welcomed by several women’s rights groups across the state.