The government is preparing to add 12 public holidays in the upcoming Nepali year 2076 BS. A taskforce 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 taskforce.

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

The Oli administration had slashed these holidays soon after forming the new government last year. The government had trimmed these holidays saying that the unnecessary holidays hinders the administrative services of the government.

However, 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.