Bihar govt allows Muslim staffers to leave office early during Ramzan

The Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government has allowed Muslim employees and officials to come to the office an hour before the scheduled time and leave the office an hour before the scheduled time in view of Ramzan.

The Department of General Administration of State Administration issued a circular in this regard on Friday.

"Considering the convenience of Muslim employees and officials, the government has granted permission to come to the office one hour before the scheduled time and leave the office one hour before the scheduled time during the month of Ramzan," General Administration Department circular he remarked.

The circular also added that the government order will be permanently valid every year during the month of Ramzan. RJD leader Ejaz Ahmed welcomed the move and said it will lead to strengthening the secular fabric of the country.

"Muslim employees will have enough time to break their fast in the evening and work will also not be affected as they will come to the office an hour before the scheduled working hours," JDU leader Sunil Kumar Singh as saying.

Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded that a similar grant be given to Hindu employees during Chaiti Navratra and Ramnavami.