The government is preparing to add 12 public holidays in the upcoming Nepali year 2076BS. A task force formed to review the public holidays has recommended the government to add 12 public holidays considering the festivals of various communities and ethnic groups living in the country.

Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa, Urban Development Minister Mohammad Ishtiyaq Rayi, and Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Minister Rabindra Prasad Adhikari are the members of the task force.

The task force has recommended holidays for Kirati festival Ubhauli and Udhauli; Islamic festivals Eid al-Fitr, Bakra-eid, and Muhammad Day; Christmas; Tamu Lhosar; Sonam Lhosar; Gyalbo Lhosar; Chhath ; Rishi Panchami (women only); Maghi; and Janai Purnima.

The incumbent Oli administration had slashed these holidays soon after coming

to power last year, saying that the unnecessary holidays hinder service delivery

to the public. The government in March last year had reduced the number of public holidays by 22 days on the recommendation of the Home Ministry.

However, the Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), among other associations, had been demonstrating and lobbying the government to declare holidays for the festivals of various communities and ethnicities.