DHAKA:  The Home Ministry is going to propose a 5-day-long public holiday for Eid instead of the traditional 3-day closure, which is considered by many as too brief a break from the rut for vacationing and breathing fresh air at far-off native homes.

Official sources said that a decision taken to this effect Wednesday is also aimed at freeing the capital from the clutches of traffic congestions and better managing law-and-order situation.

An inter-ministerial meeting at the Home Ministry Wednesday decided to moot the proposal before the Cabinet. Home Minister Sahara Khatun chaired the meeting.

Sahara later told journalists that her ministry would propose to the Cabinet to extend the holiday to 5 days, starting from the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.

They would also propose that all the schools, colleges and other educational institutions in the capital be shut for early vacation after the 10th of Ramadan, as a further measure for coming to grips with nagging traffic jams that may, otherwise, worsen into an impasse amid shopping binge for the biggest religious festival.

The Home Minister said, “This proposal is being dispatched to the Education Ministry soon.”     

BDST 1610 HRS, AUGUST 11, 2010