The Cabinet Committee on Law and Order, led by Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque, on Sunday recommended extending the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays by one day from April 9.
As per the scheduled Eid-ul Fitr holidays for this year, there is a public holiday (subject to moon sighting) for the upcoming holy Eid-ul Fitr from April 10 to 12.
The committee has suggested extending this holiday by one additional day, starting from April 9, the committee chief and Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque told reporters at a press briefing on Sunday after the meeting of the committee held at the Home Ministry conference room.
Once the government approves the proposal and extends the Eid holidays from April 9, the holidaymakers will enjoy a 10 consecutive day Eid holidays from April 5 this year.
According to calendar, the government offices will enjoy the regular weekend on April 5 and 6 and the holiday of Shab-e-Qadr will fall on April 7. Giving a break of April 8 and 9 (Tuesday and Wednesday), the Eid holiday will start from April 10 to 12, according to the present schedule. April 13 (Saturday) is the weekend and April 14 will be the Pahela Baishakh, the first days of Bengali New Year.
According to the government employees, once the government announces April 9 as government holiday, most of the government employees will leave their workplaces for village to enjoy the long 10-day Eid holiday taking a leave for the April 8 managing their higher authorities.
While briefing after the meeting, Mozammel said, "A recommendation will be sent to the Cabinet on April 1 regarding the recommendation of extending the holidays by one day, aiming to facilitate smooth travel for the holidaymakers."
Mozammel further highlighted that if Eid is celebrated on April 11, people will only have one day to travel from cities to villages, leading to increased traffic congestion and concerns of inconvenience among the holidaymakers.
Therefore, the committee decided to propose to the Cabinet consider declaring April 9 as a holiday to alleviate these concerns.
The Eid-ul Fitr, the largest religious festival of the Muslims, will be celebrated in the country on either April 10 or 11, depending on the sighting of the moon.
However, the government has set Eid holidays for April 10, 11, and 12, considering Ramadan may last for 30 days this year and Eid-ul Fitr falls on April 11. Prior to this, there is a holiday for Shab-e-Qadr on April 7. Offices will remain open on 8 and 9 April before the Eid holiday.
Speaking at the media briefing, Mozammel said, "To ensure timely payment of workers salaries, banks can remain open for extended hours, including on closing days, to prevent any dissatisfaction among the workers."
The home minister will meet with the owners on Monday to address this matter and take necessary action to ensure that workers dues are paid promptly, he added.
