Haryana declares restricted holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr on March 31 citing financial year closing

NEW DELHI: The Haryana government on Thursday announced that Eid-ul-Fitr on March 31 will be observed as a restricted holiday (Schedule-II) instead of a gazetted holiday, citing the financial year closing.

"In partial modification of the Government Notification issued vide even number dated 26.12.2024, it is notified that Eid-ul-Fitr, i.e., 31st March 2025, shall be observed as a Restricted Holiday (Schedule-II) instead of a Gazetted Holiday, due to the fact that 29th and 30th March 2025 are weekend off days and 31st March being the closing day of the Financial Year 2024-2025," the government's notification read.

Meanwhile, the Income Tax Department has also announced that its offices across the country will remain open from March 29 to March 31 to assist taxpayers in completing pending transactions before the fiscal year ends.
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) issued an order stating, "To facilitate completion of pending departmental work, all the Income Tax Offices throughout India shall remain open on 29th, 30th and 31st March, 2025."
Since March 31 marks the last day of the financial year, all government payments and settlements must be finalized by that date. It is also the deadline for filing updated Income Tax Returns (ITRs) for the assessment year 2023-24.
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued a similar directive for banks handling government transactions to remain open on March 31 to accommodate taxpayers.
"In order to facilitate accounting of government receipts and payments in the current financial year itself, necessary arrangements have also been made to conduct special clearing operations across the country," the RBI stated.