Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Jan 14: There will be no change in the government holiday declared for the Makara Sankranti festival in Dakshina Kannada district, and the holiday will be observed on January 15 itself, the district administration has clarified.

Although Makara Sankranti will be celebrated on January 14 in the district, the government holiday being fixed on January 15 had drawn objections from sections of the public. Speaker U T Khader and district in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao had brought the matter to the attention of the government, seeking a holiday on January 14.

Responding to the issue, deputy commissioner Darshan H V said that the Speaker had discussed the matter with him and that he had conveyed that any formal representation received would be forwarded to the government. However, no representations were received seeking a holiday on January 14. He added that the administration would have examined the matter if such a request had been submitted, but since no appeal was made, there was no occasion to alter the holiday. Accordingly, the government holiday will remain on January 15.

Meanwhile, some private educational institutions and offices have declared a holiday on Wednesday. Government schools, colleges and offices will observe the holiday on Thursday.