Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb has defended his government’s decision to grant International Labour Day that falls on May 1 as a restricted holiday.

Addressing an event of the Tripura Gazetted Officers’ Sangh here on Sunday night, Deb said a holiday was granted to labourers on May Day, but for government employees the day was listed as a restricted holiday. “Government employees do not need a holiday on International Labour Day.”

“I know only a few states observe International Labour Day as a holiday. What are the provisions for a holiday? The erstwhile Left government of the state used to grant holiday to all on May 1. Why is it necessary for government employees to observe International Labour Day as a holiday?” Deb asked.

Earlier on November 3, a notification issued by undersecretary S.K. Debbarma had mentioned that state government employees are allowed to avail any four holidays chosen by them out of a list of restricted holidays in this year.

May Day will be considered a restricted holiday from 2019.

Deb said: “May Day is for workers and labourers. My government took the right decision by granting holiday to workers in the industrial sector on May Day, but it is not for government employees.”

“In the industrial sector there is May Day. But you are not workers or labourers in the secretariat. Are you a labourer? No. Am I a labourer? No, I am the chief minister. So why do you need a holiday? What will you mourn?” he asked.