Non-cooperation was however only a first step. Even more remarkable has been the evolution from non-cooperation with Islamabad to cooperation with Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Whilst the Eden Building remains a mausoleum for lost hopes, administration has come to life on Road 32, Dhanmondi, the residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
From March 4, policy statements designed to restore normalcy in the province began to emanate from Road 32. The first decrees permitted banks to re-open from March 5, between the hours of 2.30 and 4.30, where they were permitted to encash cheques to a limit of Rs.1,500.
The next day this was elaborated to permit encashment of cheques for payment of wages and salaries, but these required authentication by the trade union leader of the establishment. These steps were dictated by the fact that the common man was beginning to feel the pinch. The breaking of the crisis coincided with pay day in many factories and establishments, and workers were faced with starvation unless they had some cash in hand.
The revival of banking has not been without problems. To begin with, there was a run on the banks for fear that banks may close again, rather than any threat of their imminent bankruptcy. In outlying districts, branches could not open because they had exhausted their cash reserves and could not replenish this from their head office in Dacca due to the breakdown of communications.
This has been partially normalized with improvements in the communications network. It is expected that very soon people’s preference for cash will decline and the run on the banks will be reversed. The operation of the banks for only 2 hours however restricted the activities of the banks and a further decree on March 8 enabled them to operate longer.
Also Read - March 1971 Diary: From non-cooperation to People’s Raj
The decree permitted banks to also make disbursements for raw materials for the operation of factories, since the factories had been permitted to operate from March 5, but were put into difficulties because of banking restrictions.
All these measures were dictated by the need to revive the economy and mitigate any hardship for the workers. The main problem was however to restrict a run on the banks and a flight of capital from Bangladesh.
In the same way, the decree of March 9 permitted a selective revival of governmental activities. Parts of the state bank needed to serve the banks were opened up. Farmers were feeling the pinch so that the Agricultural Development Corporation was opened to resume supply of fertilizer to farmers and operate power pumps to water the winter crop.
Jute and rice seed distribution was permitted. Movement of food-grains and operation of food godowns was also permitted as were operation of utilities and arterial transport. For the rest, the Eden Building, courts, and kutcheries remained closed.
Another and more elaborate decree of March 12 carried the principle of selective non-cooperation a stage further.
