Odisha govt declares public holiday tomorrow over Vajpayee’s demise

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today announced that August 17 (Friday) a holiday across the State as a mark of respect to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away at AIIMS, New Delhi on Thursday evening after a prolonged illness.

The Government of Odisha deeply mourns the sudden demise of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and declares that August 17 as a public holiday. Therefore, all government offices, local bodies and educational institutions shall remain closed tomorrow as a mark of respect to the departed soul,” a state government release said.

According to the communiqué, the State government has declared seven days of state mourning from today owing to the demise of the former Prime Minister.

The national flag at all government establishments would also fly at half mast, it said adding there will be no official entertainment during the entire period of state mourning.

Besides, all banks operating in the State will remain closed tomorrow as mark of a respect to the departed leader under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.