Tue Dec 30 22:07:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, designed for publication on December 31, 2025, based on a report in The Hindu:

Odisha Bans New Year Celebrations in Government Offices

BHUBANESWAR, Odisha – December 31, 2025 – The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Odisha has issued a directive prohibiting New Year celebrations on government office premises on January 1st. Citing the day as a regular working day, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) stated that normal work will continue in all state government offices.

“Except for personal, courtesy-based exchanges, all forms of celebrations, gatherings, feasts and parties within the premises of State Government offices are completely prohibited,” the statement emphasized. Heads of offices and institutions have been instructed to strictly enforce the prohibition.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conveyed New Year’s greetings to the public but also requested that no one visit him or CMO officers in person to offer congratulations. The CMO will operate as usual on January 1st.

The move marks a departure from previous practices, where politicians, government employees, and members of the public traditionally gathered to greet the former Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik. The previous administration had sometimes curtailed celebrations in response to tragedies. Reportedly, past New Year celebrations have disrupted routine administrative work, with employee groups presenting gifts to officials and corporate entities using the occasion to offer expensive gifts to key ministers. The new government aims to ensure a productive working day and prevent undue influence.

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