Will examine demand for local holiday for Moolam Vallamkali: CM

The government will examine and take a decision on allowing a local holiday in Kuttanad taluk of Alappuzha district for Moolam Vallamkali, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has said.

He was replying to a submission in the Assembly on Tuesday by Reji Cheriyan, Kuttanad MLA, on allowing a local holiday in Kuttanad taluk for Moolam Vallamkali on June 29.

The Chief Minister said holiday had not been allowed for the Moolam Vallamkali in previous years. A 2002 government order giving District Collectors prior permission to declare a local holiday for government offices and educational institutions for special days and festivals too did not include a holiday for the Vallamkali.

Since the general stance was not to sanction new public holidays, restricted holidays, and local holidays, such holidays were not allowed, Mr. Satheesan said.