No More Public Holiday on March 5 for Biju Patnaik Birth Anniversary in Odisha

Starting this year, March 5 will no longer be observed as a public holiday in Odisha on the occasion of Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary, as per a new directive from the state government.

According to a notification issued by the General Administration and Public Grievance Department on March 3, the day will not be considered a public holiday anymore. However, the birth anniversary of the legendary leader, late Biju Patnaik, will still be commemorated at all government levels with due significance and enthusiasm.

Notably, the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government, led by Naveen Patnaik, had declared March 5 as Panchayati Raj Day to honor the birthday of the former Chief Minister. Since 2020, the state had been observing it as a public holiday.

However, the newly elected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, under Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, has revoked the holiday status and announced that Biju Patnaik’s birth anniversary will no longer be celebrated as Panchayati Raj Diwas.