One day weekly holiday

Sir, The present government after assuming power implemented two-day weekly holiday which was not their election pledge. The move was rather criticised than hailed by different quarters. And in apprehension of adverse effect on country's economy, bank holidays were reduced to one day. Gradually came in the line of one-day holiday the stock bourses. It is reported that PM Secretariat will remain open seven days a week in view of proper distribution of relief work due to the devastating flood.

My question is. when the head of the government's office can remain open throughout the week, then why the Divisional Commissioner. District Commissioner and other government offices are not ordered to enjoy one-day weekly holiday for intensive supervision of relief distribution? Postal services and other public utility services should also reduce their weekly holidays to one

Due to century's worst ever flood that engulfed the entire country for more than two months, communication network has totally broken down. Among the government utility services only the railway authority demonstrated their sincerity with their limited resources to keep the train communication operative despite inundation of rail track by flood water at various points. Communication network on various modes will take a long time to be normal after flood water recedes, as because washed away roads, bridges and culverts are to be reconstructed.

In this circumstance Postal Department, one type of public communication network can play a significant role enjoying one-day holiday and working six days a week gearing up their services carrying messages, telegrams, money orders, dis-

tributing letters at the remotes: places to the flood-affected people whose near and dear ones are awav from them as an incident of job. business or due to devastating flood.

Md Lutfar Rahman Malnichhera Tea Estate. Sylhet

National Savings Bureau

Sir. Unlike the previous regime, the present government has launched an attractive scheme to motivate people by inducing them to purchase various National Saving Certificates at lucrative interest rates. Particularly two types of these certificates are a source of gravy train to the purchaser of these certificates, viz, the certificate which is valid for 5 years with interest rate of 13.25 per cent and payable on half yearly basis. Another certificate which is valid for 3 years with interest rate of 13.50 per cent which is payable on quarterly basis. These two types of certificates are very popular among the middle class.

But there lies the crunch when the half-yearly and quarterly interest becomes due ... and the person has to proceed to the Bureau for drawing the amount, along with the coupon. At the Bureau, the person concerned has to wait and kick the heels for considerable time. From the Bureau, when a sizeable number of coupon holders assemble, then the Assistant Director assigns a staff to escort them to relevant bank to which the Bureau is affiliated. Then tljese coupon holders have to wait for a considerable length of time simply to collect the amount. This exercise is surely a nightmarish ordeal particularly for the old and aged persons.

This tedious and tiring odyssey can be avoided If the Asstt. Director of the Bureau is authorised to issue cross on

simply bearer cheque to anv bank according to the convenience of the client. If such a system is adopted, it will go a long way to mitigate the hardship and suffering of the oppressed and harassed clients. The Finance Minister SAMS Kibria and the Governor of Bangladesh Bank can work out the modalities in conjunction of the Director of National Savings Bureau.

.V H Sufi

1 7/6-C. Tqjmohal Road Md Pur. Dhaka-1207,

Employment Bank

Sir. The Employment Bank — the name which indicates its speciality, has been inaugurated lately be the government through accumulating a capital of 100 crore taka. The target group of the bank will be the unemployed youths who have latent potential to operate a successful venture but have no financial support. The most distinctive feature of the bank, beside the conventional system is. sanctioning loans without any collateral security. Loans up to Tk. 50000 will not require any guarantor, but the borrowers will have to deposit their academic certificates with the bank. The bank will also disburse loans among those who do not have formal education, but have the skill to make a project viable.

The establishment of the employment bank is a timely effort as well as a bold step too. Default culture spreads over in such a way that 38 per cent of the disbursed loans fall in this category, of the government's commercial banks.

Defaulters may give guidelines to the efficient operations of the employment. Default culture will not grow In the mind of the target group if loans are

disbursed to the right people who present viable projects, considering socio-economic conditions of the country. Such projects contribute to the poverty alleviation ol the country and also open up more employment opportunities. It is praiseworthy that the bank will provide loans to fanning, poultry. fisheries, small business on agriculture and other sectors, especially In computer business. A network of the bank allover the country would accelerate economic activities in the country and would also bring social order.

Mohammad Arif l/ddin 1167 East Nasirabad. Chittagong

Nelson Mandela shows the way

Sir. Addressing the 12th Non-aligned Movement (NAM) summit in Durban. South Africa, the lion of African continent Nelson Mandela without fear, favour or ill-will towards anybody said: "all NAM members are 'concerned' that the Kashmir Issue should be solved through peaceful negotiations."

Nelson Mandela spoke nothing against India or Pakistan. He simply, from the core of his heart, expressed the need for the solution of Kashmir problem on humanitarian ground.

We strongly believe and feel that If the world leaders including presidents of USA. Russia. France. Egypt, Indonesia. Chancellor of Germany and prime ministers of UK. Japan. Malaysia and Bangladesh kindly raise their voice boldly like Nelson Mandela in the half a century old Kashmir problem, which Is threatening a nuclear war in South Asia would be solved in no time.

O. H. Kabir

6. Hare Street

Wart. Dhaka-1203.