The government has decided to declare an additional public holiday on March 18 to ease travel for people returning home for Eid-ul-Fitr, allowing government employees to enjoy a seven-day holiday from March 17 to 23.

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held on Thursday at the Bangladesh Secretariat, chaired by Prime Minister Tareq Rahman.

State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj confirmed the matter to reporters after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Information Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon said the first session of the National Parliament is scheduled to begin on March 12, and the cabinet has taken necessary preparations ahead of the sitting.

He said the cabinet meeting also discussed the president’s address to parliament.

Several government initiatives — including the Family Card, Farmer Card and agricultural loan programmes — are expected to be highlighted in the president’s speech, the information minister said.