In a significant reversal, the Office of the Chief Commissioner of Central Tax, Central Excise, and Customs in Thiruvananthapuram has withdrawn its controversial order that denied leave to officers during Eid-ul-Fitr on March 29, 30, and 31.
The initial directive, issued on March 28, instructed supervisory officers not to grant leave, sparking concerns among Muslim employees who feared missing out on celebrating the festival. However, following widespread criticism, a revised order released on March 29 has now allowed officers and staff to avail leave for Eid.
This restriction was unique to Kerala, with no similar orders reported elsewhere in the country. Chief Commissioner S.K. Rahman had issued the directive in response to a Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) circular that marked March 29-31 as working days due to the fiscal year-end. However, the CBIC circular did not explicitly prohibit granting leave.
The move to withdraw the restriction came after strong interventions, including a letter from Rajya Sabha MP Dr. John Brittas to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. He urged the government to revoke the order, citing concerns over religious freedom and the risk of alienating affected officers.
With the revised order, Central GST and Customs officials in Kerala can now observe Eid-ul-Fitr without restrictions, ensuring they can celebrate this important festival with their families.
