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Business
West Bengal bankers ask CM to declare Oct 17 a Durga Puja bank holiday
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 15 Oct 2026, 06:37 AM
👁 16
Bankers in West Bengal have appealed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to declare October 17, a day of Durga Puja celebrations, as a bank holiday.
Banking officials in West Bengal have formally requested the state government to declare October 17 a bank holiday, aligning it with the Durga Puja festivities that dominate the region during this period. The appeal was directed to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, citing the cultural significance of the festival and the large number of bank employees who observe it.
Durga Puja, one of the state's most widely celebrated events, typically sees public offices and many private institutions shut for several days. Bankers argue that a holiday on the 17th would provide consistency with the broader public holiday calendar and reduce operational strain on staff who travel to their hometowns for the celebrations.
If approved, the holiday would affect all scheduled banking transactions on that day, with banks likely to resume normal operations the following business day. The banking community awaits the chief minister's response, noting that a timely decision would aid in planning for both employees and customers.
Durga Puja, one of the state's most widely celebrated events, typically sees public offices and many private institutions shut for several days. Bankers argue that a holiday on the 17th would provide consistency with the broader public holiday calendar and reduce operational strain on staff who travel to their hometowns for the celebrations.
If approved, the holiday would affect all scheduled banking transactions on that day, with banks likely to resume normal operations the following business day. The banking community awaits the chief minister's response, noting that a timely decision would aid in planning for both employees and customers.