East corpn to call for holiday on Chhath

The battle over declaring Chhath a closed holiday in the Capital is set to start again, with the BJP-led East Municipal Corporation planning to declare it as one.

The issue had led to heated debates last year with the Municipal Corporation of Delhi asking for Chhath to be declared an official holiday and the Delhi government opposing the move.

The East corporation is now set to ask the Delhi government to clear its decision.

"The civic body will decide on the issue tomorrow at a meeting of the House of East corporation. We will pass the resolution as it would help lakhs of Poorvanchalis living in the area," Chairperson Standing Committee (East) Mehek Singh said.

The move is being viewed as an attempt to garner the support of Poorvanchalis ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled next year.

Singh, however, denied that the decision was in view of the upcoming elections and said the BJP had always favoured migrants.

The civic agency also plans to beautify and develop the ghats along Yamuna and build huts for the convenience of the Chhath visitors.

"There are 40 lakh Poorvanchalis residing in Delhi and the DMC Act gives corporation the power to announce a holiday if it is in the interest of a community. We want special facilities for those who celebrate Chhath on our ghats," Singh said.

He said the idea of the unified MCD to declare Chhath as holiday was cancelled by Delhi government. "We protested then. If it is up to the Delhi government and the L-G's Office to take a decision on the Chhath holiday, they will need to explain this to the common man," Singh said.

According to the Delhi government, Chhath is a restricted holiday.

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