india

Updated: Nov 24, 2015 01:21 IST

National holidays are not meant to relax and unwind at home, the Kerala high court on Monday observed directing the state to ensure all government servants be present in their offices on such occasions.

Hearing a public interest litigation filed by a school student, the court observed that majority of government servants prefer to stay at home on national holidays. It directed the state government to curb this tendency and make them fully aware of the importance of these days.

Subsequently, the government has directed the general administration department to issue a circular instructing all employees to attend their offices and observe all national holidays. Majority of government offices conduct Independence and Republic Day functions as mere rituals and most officials used to skip these festivities.

In her plea K Nimisha, a student hailing from Kochi, complained that when students observe national holiday with much fervour, most of the government officials remain at home. She wanted the court to make it mandatory for all to attend their offices and observe these days. The court later accepted her plea.