Siliguri, Sept. 15: The state government has for the first time announced a holiday for schools in the Dooars and Terai tomorrow on the occasion of Karam Puja, an agricultural festival of the tribals.

A paid holiday has been declared for government employees who would take part in the fest.

Over a decade, the tribals of north Bengal have been demanding a holiday for Karam Puja celebrated in the middle of September every year.

Last year, the state government had persuaded tea planters of the region to declare a paid holiday for the workers on the occasion.

“The tribal population had appealed to the state government to announce a holiday in schools and government offices for those who take part in the festivities,” said north Bengal development minister Gautam Deb. “The state government has considered it and announced the holiday,” added the minister who attended the inaugural function of the festival on Gathia Tea Estate in Nagrakata this evening.

Dhartimohan Roy, the chairman of the District Primary School Council of Jalpaiguri, today said the holiday has been announced for 200 primary schools in the Dooars.

Jalpaiguri district magistrate Pritha Sarkar said in government offices, a sectional holiday had been declared for employees who are from the communities that celebrate the occasion.