Public holiday in Patiala, Bathinda districts on Aug 21

Punjab government today announced a public holiday in Patiala and Bathinda districts on August 21 for by-elections in Patiala and Talwandi Sabo assembly constituencies.
All government offices, corporations, boards and educational institutions, located in these two districts would remain close in the wake of public holiday, so that employees can exercise their right of franchise in the by-elections to Patiala and Talwandi Sabo assembly constituencies, an official spokesperson said here.
He said other employees, who were voters of these assembly constituencies but were posted in some other area, could also avail the facility of this public holiday by showing their voter identity cards to the competent authority and this holiday would not be deducted from their sanctioned holidays account.

The spokesperson further said the public holiday has also been declared under the Section 25 of Negotiable Instrument Act-1881.
To ensure participation of workers in the by-election, the state government has declared August 21 a paid holiday in all shops and commercial establishment, and for workmen, working in the factories and shops and commercial establishment in both these constituencies.
By-polls to Patiala and Talwandi Sabo assembly constituencies will be held on August 21.