The Vishisht BTC Shikshak Welfare Association has requested the Uttar Pradesh government to declare public holidays on the dates of the Shahi Snan during the ongoing Maha Kumbh. In a letter to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the association has sought three days of public holidays for all state employees and teachers to allow them to participate in the holy bath and religious rituals with their families.
Santosh Tiwari, the provincial president of the association, and Dilip Chauhan, state secretary of the joint forum, emphasized the rarity of this Maha Kumbh, which occurs after 144 years. They stated that it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many, as future generations might not witness such an event. The association has urged the state government to consider their demand positively, allowing people to partake in this historic event. Provincial media in-charge Vineet Singh specifically requested public holidays on significant bathing dates such as Mauni Amavasya, Basant Panchami, and Maghi Purnima so that everyone can take a holy dip at the Maha Kumbh.
Demand to Merge DA with Salaries Raised to PM
The Indian Public Service Employees Federation (IPSEF) has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to announce the merging of 50% dearness allowance (DA) with salaries, as was practiced earlier. IPSEF's national president, VP Mishra, highlighted that when DA exceeds 50% of the salary, it is traditionally merged with the base salary, a practice upheld by all past pay commissions.