Ram Temple consecration: All central govt offices to remain closed for half a day on January 22

New Delhi: All central government offices across the country will remain closed for half a day on January 22 to enable employees to "participate in the celebrations" of the Ram temple consecration ceremony in Ayodhya.

The Ram Lalla Pran Pratishtha at Ayodhya will be celebrated on January 22 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will perform the rituals.

"To enable employees to participate in the celebrations, it has been decided that all central government offices, central institutions and central industrial establishments throughout India will be closed for half day till 1430 hours on 22nd January 2024," the Ministry of Personnel said in an order on Thursday.

Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh said the decision has been taken in view of the "overwhelming" public sentiments.

"There was a huge public demand across the country regarding this. Decision on half-day closure of central government offices on January 22 has been taken in view of overwhelming public sentiments," he was quoted by PTI as saying.