Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has instructed government officials to refrain from celebrating Onam during office hours. He also warned not to conduct any flower carpet competitions at government offices.

Pinarayi said no Onam sale should be held inside the office .

“During festival season people come to sell goods in government offices. A major portion of working hours is spent for this. It is very important that all officers should be there in their chair during working hours,” the CM wrote on his Facebook page.

He reminded government officers that they get holidays for Onam and celebrations should be conducted only on those days, instead of working days.

The CM also reminded the officers that each file they are looking at is very important and asked them to work sincerely.

“Not only Onam, celebrating any other festivals during working hours is inappropriate. Government will strictly interfere in these practices,” he wrote.

Till last year, almost all offices have been celebrating Onam on working days. Usually some sale, ranging from dress materials to sweets, happens in government offices during the festival season.