Kerala govt staff celebrate Onam during office hours, but promise to work extra

Thiruvananthapuram: Employees at the Kerala secretariat on Tuesday held Onam Celebrations during office hours but promised to work an extra half hour in the evening. They had completed the pookalams (floral carpets) the previous night.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier cautioned the government staff against wasting work hours in the name of Onam celebrations.

No Onam celebrations during office hours: Kerala CM to govt staff Not against Onam celebration, lighting of lamp at functions: Kerala CM Pinarayi The celebrations in the secretariat, although falling within office hours, have not violated the spirit of the CM's order.

The Onam celebrations were attended by state ministers including Kadannappally Ramachandran and K.T. Jaleel.