PM Oli positive to provide holiday on Kija puja

KATHMANDU: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is positive about providing a holiday on Kija puja (Bhai tika in Newa community) on October 30.

The government had earlier announced holiday for Tihar starting from October 27 to 29 with the recommendation of Nepal Calendar Determination Committee.

A delegation comprising federal lawmaker Krishna Gopal Shrestha and State 3 lawmakers Dr Ajay Kranti Shakya and Rajesh Shakya, among others met with PM Oli and requested for the holiday on Kija puja on October 30. After the request, PM Oli said he was positive to their request, according to lawmaker Shakya.

Shakya further added that if the recommendation of the Committee was followed, the time for the Mha puja would be in the morning, which contradicts the time-honoured tradition of celebrating Mha puja in the evening by the Newa community.

As per the Newa calendar, the New Year, Nepal Sambat 1140 is marked on Kartik 12 (October 29) this time.