As per government decision, this leave is available in all government and semi-government offices and statutory autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies in Bangladesh. However, the schedule and holidays of those offices are regulated by their own laws or the jobs of all offices, organizations and institutions have been declared essential for the government, in the case that the respective offices, organizations and institutions will declare these holidays considering the public interest according to their own laws.
According to the Government directives and rules of Bangladesh, an employee may be allowed to enjoy a maximum total of three days optional leave in a year according to his own religion. Every employee is required to take permission from the competent authority at the beginning of the year for optional leave of three days prescribed according to his religion. If the officials approve this application then they can enjoy it. In this case, on the occasion of Durga Puja, Hindus will get an opportunity to enjoy three days of optional leave.
Incidentally, Durga Puja will be held in 32 thousand 666 pavilions in Bangladesh this year. This number is slightly less than last year. It is alleged that “donations'' of Rs 5 lakh were demanded from various committees before the Puja. They have also threatened that they will not be allowed to perform the puja if they do not pay the money as demanded.
Also, the Insaf activist students have warned Hindus that the idol cannot be sacrificed this time. However, Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said there would be adequate security arrangements for a peaceful puja. Puja musical instruments and microphones should be kept off during Namaz and Azaan.