Govt issues new guidelines for observance of nat'l, other days

The government has issued new guidelines for observing national and international days, aiming to uphold their significance while reducing public expenditure and saving official time.

The Cabinet Division issued a circular on Sunda, classifying 18 national-level days and festivals, 39 days of traditional and social significance and 35 symbolic days related to specific sectors.

According to the guidelines, ministers will attend programmes marking the 39 traditional and social days, while the Prime Minister may be invited depending on the significance of the occasions.

Government allocations of up to Tk50,000 may be provided for programmes marking these days.

The 35 symbolic days will be observed on a limited scale, without any special allocation from the development budget.

The circular also said government agencies may skip the observance of repetitive days that have lost their relevance to save time and resources.

Programmes marking Education Week, Science Week, Police Week, BGB Week, Fisheries Fortnight, National Sports Week and other designated events must follow the Prime Minister's instructions. The same directives will apply to the observance of Armed Forces Day on 21 November.

The guidelines recommend avoiding elaborate decorations, large-scale cultural programmes and rallies on working days.

Programmes marking a week should generally be confined to three days, while discussions and cultural events should preferably be arranged on holidays or after office hours.

The circular further stated that approved programmes must not hamper regular office activities.