Shimla, Aug. 27 -- Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday announced a statewide holiday on Raksha Bandhan, stating that the decision was taken to ensure that both brothers and sisters working in government offices, schools, and colleges could celebrate the festival together.

Speaking to the media, Sukhu said women employees received a holiday on Raksha Bandhan, but he felt that brothers should also be allowed to stay at home so that sisters travelling to meet them would not have to wait throughout the day.

"Earlier, sisters used to get a holiday on Raksha Bandhan. I felt that if the brother had to go to the office, the sister would have to spend the whole day waiting to tie the rakhi. Therefore, we decided to...