The Ministry of Public Administration has issued a notification extending the holiday for the Durga Puja, the largest religious festival for the Sanatan community, by one day.
In a notification signed by Deputy Secretary Md Kamruzzaman on Tuesday, the government declared the nationwide public holiday on October 10 through an executive order in light of the upcoming Durga Puja.
The notification specifies that during the public holiday, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous, and private offices will remain closed.
Following the extension, the Durga Puja holidays will now last four days, starting Thursday.
This extension comes as Friday and Saturday are already government holidays this month.
However, emergency services, such as electricity, water, gas and other fuels, fire services, port operations, cleanliness activities, telephone and internet services, postal services, and the vehicles and personnel engaged in these services will be exempt from the holiday.
Additionally, hospitals and emergency services, along with their associated personnel, will also be excluded from this holiday.
Medical professionals and staff involved in providing medical care, as well as vehicles and personnel transporting medicines and medical equipment, will not be affected by this holiday.
Offices engaged in emergency work will also remain exempt from the holiday.
The Bangladesh Bank will provide necessary guidelines regarding the continuation of banking operations, and the Honorable Supreme Court will issue directives concerning court activities.
The formal celebrations of Durga Puja begin on Wednesday, with the final day, Dashami, falling on Sunday, October 13.
On Dashami, with the immersion of idols, Durga Puja will conclude. In light of this, Sunday is also a government holiday.
Altogether, the Durga Puja holiday this year will extend for four days.
