Dhaka, March 20 -- Government employees will enjoy a 9-day vacation this Eid-ul-Fitr as an executive order has declared Apr 3 a public holiday.

Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, deputy press secretary to the chief advisor, says the interim administration made the decision to ensure smooth travel for people on the occasion.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the advisory council on Thursday.

According to the public holiday calendar, the government expects Eid to fall on Mar 31, a Monday.

Mar 29, 30, Apr 1 and 2 have been declared holidays per an executive order.

Mar 28, however, is a Friday and is also the Islamic holy night of Shab-e-Qadr, or Laylat-ul-Qadr.

As a result, all government employees were to receive an Eid vacation for six d...