Govt sets 9-4 office hours, orders markets shut after 6pm

The government has taken a set of decisions to cope with the impact of the global situation and ensure fuel oil stability.

According to the decisions, all government and private offices will operate from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Banking activities will continue from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for public transactions, while banks will close at 4:00 pm.

All shopping malls and markets across the country must remain closed after 6:00 pm. However, emergency services such as kitchen markets, food outlets, and pharmacies will remain outside this directive.

The decisions were taken at a cabinet meeting held at the Cabinet Room in the Parliament Secretariat on Thursday night. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the meeting.

Later, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani briefed journalists at the media centre of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, saying that the government took the measures considering fuel supply disruptions caused by the Middle East war.

Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Saleh Shibly was present at the briefing.

Noting that several steps have been taken for the next three months to reduce government expenditure, the cabinet secretary said, “No new vehicles, watercraft, or aircraft will be purchased during this period.”

The procurement of new equipment, including computers, will also remain suspended, he said, adding that internal training has been reduced by 50 percent, while all foreign training under government funding will remain suspended until further notice.

Expenditure on meetings and seminars has also been cut by 50 percent, Ghani said.

Besides, he said government spending in the power, energy, and gas sectors will be reduced by 30 percent. The meeting also issued a directive to reduce unnecessary travel expenses by 30 percent, the cabinet secretary added.

He said new directives will be issued for the education sector.

The Ministry of Education will start issuing instructions in phases from Sunday, considering the needs of different levels, so that the measures do not have a negative impact on the education system, Ghani said.

In a bid to reduce traffic congestion in the capital during school hours, he said, the government has decided to introduce electric buses for school students instead of private cars.

Educational institutions joining the initiative will be able to import buses duty-free, the cabinet secretary said, adding that the private sector will also get this facility, but a 20 percent duty will apply for commercial purposes.

However, only new buses will be allowed for import, he said.

Noting that imports from alternative sources are also being increased to maintain normal fuel supply, Ghani said initiatives have already been taken to import fuel from Malaysia, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan.

Source: BSS