Chandigarh: The Haryana government on Thursday ordered all schools in the state to remain closed till Jan 16 in view of the intense cold wave and foggy conditions prevailing over the region.

Haryana Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal said the state government has decided to observe holidays in government, government-aided and private schools in the state from Jan 5 to 16, 2012.

She said that the decision had been taken in view of intense cold wave and dense fog conditions prevailing in the region.

The Punjab government, through an order, directed that the opening timings of all government schools would be delayed by 30 minutes due to the cold conditions.

A spokesman of Punjab education department said the morning time of the schools now would be 9.30 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. He said the timing has been changed after the due approval of Chief Electoral Officer, Punjab in view of the model code of conduct being in force for the Jan 30 assembly elections. IANS