Dhaka, Oct. 5 -- The government has decided to keep offices open on Oct 17, a Saturday, before the five-day holiday for Durga Puja.

At the same time, the cabinet approved Nov 7 as a public holiday to mark "National Revolution and Solidarity Day".

The day will also be observed as a Category 'A' occasion under the Cabinet Division's guidelines on national and international days.

The decisions came at Monday's meeting led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat.

A media statement issued after the meeting said Nov 7 would be a public holiday every year to mark the occasion.

The cabinet also approved an additional holiday on Oct 22 for the upcoming Durga Puja.

Government employees will therefore have five consecutive days off...