Festival Holidays Act: Is Your Small Engineering Company Affected by Compliance Rules?

Dear Sir,

Can you provide information on the Festival Holidays Act? To whom will it be applicable, and what are the compliance requirements to follow?

I am working in an engineering company where less than 100 employees are employed. Will it be applicable to us?

Best regards,
Parimal

National holidays and festival holidays are applicable for all factories, shops, and establishments. Compulsory holidays must be provided on 26th January, 1st May, 15th August, and 2nd October. Additionally, five other holidays of your choice should be provided as compulsory every year.

Dear Sir,

We observe 26th Jan and 15th Aug as holidays, but not the rest of the two days. Additionally, we observe nine more festivals, and these are paid by us. Are there any future consequences or not? Kindly advise.

Best regards,
Parimal

Understanding the Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act

The Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act is state legislation, and therefore, the number of holidays differs from state to state.

In Tamil Nadu, there are four national holidays: January 26th, May 1st, August 15th, and October 2nd. Additionally, there are five festival holidays that the employer, in consultation with the workers, can decide.

In Karnataka, there are five national holidays (including November 1st, which is the state formation day) and five festival holidays.

In Kerala, there are four national holidays and nine festival holidays, which is probably the highest number of holidays in India.

In Uttar Pradesh, there is no mention of festival holidays, but only national holidays are to be allowed.

In Punjab, there are four festival holidays, and in Haryana, the number of festival holidays is five. In both these states, the number of national holidays is three.

To ensure compliance with the statute, you must review your state's enactment on National and Festival Holidays. However, in any case, October 2nd is a national holiday.

An establishment with an employment strength of more than 20 is certainly under an obligation to follow the holidays prescribed under the state Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act. Therefore, please take it up and ensure that you follow the rules.

Regards,
Madhu.T.K

Dear Madhu ji,
Good Festival holidays differ state to state but three national holidays are applicable whole over india such as Mahatma Jayanti, Independence day & Republic day.

There is no doubt about it, and that is why I have mentioned that Parimal should include October 2nd in the holidays list as well. Please note that he/she has already listed 26th January and 15th August as holidays.

Madhu.T.K

Dear Parimal,

As per the National & festival holidays Act of 1958, we need to follow four National Holidays and five Festival Holidays (which may vary from state to state).

As per our discussion, you are required to register and maintain Form III for one-time registration (update), along with Form VI for monthly updates and Form V A (for any employees working on the same day, they need to submit the L.O and display the notice board, emphasizing the need to pay twice the wages or compensatory off).

Regards,
Kabali R.
9003156539

Dear All,

Please guide me about West Bengal's rules for national and festival holidays. Is there any provision in West Bengal for such holidays?

Regards

No, if one has been absent, you need not pay it and need not treat the holidays as exclusive.

Madhu.T.K