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DHAKA: All government offices, banks, financial institutions, stock markets and courts are open today (Saturday, October 17) to adjust the five-day holiday period for the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja.
The cancellation of the scheduled weekly holiday means these institutions will operate as on a regular working day.
The decision was announced in a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on October 7. According to the notification, holidays will be observed on October 20, 21 and 22 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday), respectively, for Durga Puja. As compensation, government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices were instructed to remain open on Saturday, October 17.
Earlier, the Cabinet approved a proposal to reschedule public holidays and holidays declared by executive order at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on October 5.
Under the 2026 public holiday calendar, October 20 (Tuesday) was designated a holiday by executive order for Mahanabami, while October 21 (Wednesday) was declared a general holiday for Bijoya Dashami. The Cabinet also approved a proposal to declare October 22 (Thursday), otherwise a working day, a holiday by executive order.
With the three-day Puja holiday followed by the weekly holidays on Friday and Saturday, October 23 and 24, the arrangement creates an opportunity for a continuous five-day break.
