Were allowed to be continued, so that the people were saved from undergoing avoidable hardship. Since the Non- Cooperation Movement had started on 1 March. Many government and non-government employees had not been able to encash them. People from all walks of life came forward actively to support the Non-Cooperation Movement, pointing out the problems which were being thrown up, and suggesting ingenious solutions to them.
In order to meet problems as they arosc, further directives were issued on March 4. These directives had now to be in the form of positive instructions, that is, it not merely asking people to refrain from doing certain things but specifically directing them to do certain actions or carry out certain functions, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Awami League. This was the first step towards the Awami League assuming the functions of a de-facto Government in the Eastern wing. Thus. on March 4, specific directives were issued that government offices, where employees had not as yet been paid their salaries, should function between 2-30 p.m. and 4.30 p.m. only for the purpose of disbursing salaries. It was also directed that banks should function within the hours of 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. for the purpose of cash transactions within Bangladesh only in respect of salary cheques not exceeding 1500 rupees.
Since it was apprehended that opening of banks may lead to flight of funds to the West, it was specifically directed that no remittance should be effected outside Bangladesh and the State Bank was directed to take necessary action in this connection. The time was deliberately specified to be from 2-30 p. m. to 4-30 p. m. rather than in the morning, so that it would be clear to all that the offices were not opening in the normal course, but specifically under the directives of, and in accordance with the instructions issued by the Awami League. Further exemptions were issued to cover the cars of doctors, press cars, also fire services and local and trunk telephones within Bangladesh. These directives were strictly complied with and offices and banks functioned between 2-30 p. m. and 4-30 p. m. for the purpose. Further directives were issued to allow food godowns to remain open beyond 4-30 p.m. if necessary to complete delivery.
Members of some Trade Unions reported that in some cases a cheque for a substantially larger amount than 1500 rupees was required to be drawn representing the total wage bill of the workers in an establishment, who were then paid in cash. In order to meet these cases, directives to the banks were modified further to provide that a cheque for an amount higher than 1500 rupees may be drawn provided that the wage register showing the total amount to be drawn was produced along with the cheque. Indeed, since this also created administrative difficulties, it was in turn provided that such a cheque for an amount higher than 1500 rupees may be paid if it was certified by the trade unions of the industrial establishments concerned.
On March 6, I was contacted by a group of Civil Servants, led by Sanaul Haque, saying that they had decided collectively to declare their support to Sheikh Mujib and would like to call on him to state that henceforward they would act upon the directives of the elected representatives. I arranged a meeting at which delegation of civil servants led by Sanaul Haque, formally declared their commitment to comply with the directives of
