All high officials based in Barisal and the planning secretary now on a visit here had to use private vehicles and motor cars.

This was because of a call given by government employees in the city not to use any government vehicle for a day as part of their movement to realise city corporation allowance. Responding to call, drivers of all government vehicles abstained from work.

In another programme, government employees laid a siege to the Police Superintendent's office and the Head Post Office for some hours yesterday.

Planning Secretary Fazlur Rahman came to Brisal yesterday on an official visit. But he could not be provided with a government vehicle.

Rezaul Karim, NDC of Barisal, told to The Daily Star that a rented microbus was provided for officials of his office.

During the siege programme, government employees held rally in front of the Head Post Office. It was announced at the rally that all government employees will abstain from work for three hours on Wednesday and for 'half-day periods' from March 14 to 16 to press the demand.

The rally was presided over by Shamsuddin Ahmed, convenor of Barisal City Bhata Bastobayon Parishad ( committee for realising city allowance).

The speakers said though Barisal and Sylhet cities were made city corporations on the same day, government employees based in Sylhet are getting city corporation allowance since December 12 last year. But those in Barisal are still deprived of the same benefit.

Government has decided to give them the allowance from January this year but they are demanding it from the same date employees in Sylhet are getting, sources said.