Gangtok, Nov. 22: The ruling Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) government seems to attach more importance to the annual and half-yearly closing days of banks than the hill state’s traditional festivals.

The government published the latest list of public holidays on November 16, which, strangely, omits some of the most important festivals of Sikkim, including two important ones celebrated by the tribal communities. The list has omitted both Loosong, a Bhutia festival that symbolises the onset of the harvest season and is also celebrated as the Sikkimese New Year, and Tendong Lho Rum Faat, a major Lepcha festival. Loosong is also celebrated by the Lepchas, the original inhabitants of the hill state.

The government has, however, declared both April 1 and September 30 — annual and half-yearly closing of the banks — as public holidays. “It is unnecessary to observe the bank closing as public holidays because they do not fall under the Negotiable Instruments Act,” a senior Central government official said.

Ram Navami, Bhanu Jayanti, Independence Day, Gandhi Jayanti, Dashain, Laxmi Puja and Christmas have been declared as public holidays..