Bangladesh Secretariat switches to holiday mode

Bangladesh Secretariat, the country's administrative nerve centre, is usually abuzz with activities but the scene was somewhat different on Thursday, the day before the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 2 Oct 2014, 11:05 AM
Updated : 2 Oct 2014, 11:42 AM

Many officials left for their village homes in the morning.

Public administration officials said less than 80 percent were present at work on the day.

But only a handful was seen at work past noon.
The visitors’ room at the Secretariat, too, was somewhat empty.
The Bijoya Dashami holiday falls on Saturday followed by a three-day Eid vacation.
Many have sought leave on next Wednesday and Thursday.
Officials say this year the number of applicants seeking extended leave is higher than in the past.
As a result, the Secretariat is expected to appear deserted during first two weeks of this month, they said.