Bangladesh Bank, on the eve of holy Eid ul Azha, has directed commercial banks to remain open in the areas adjoining to the cattle markets for transaction relating to sacrificial animals in Dhaka and Chittagong.
The central bank has also asked them to start evening banking activities in these branches. It has given this instruction to facilitate banking transactions for sacrificial animal traders. On Thursday (May 29), the ‘Banking Regulations and Policies Department’ of Bangladesh Bank issued a circular in this regard.
The areas where instructions have been given to start evening banking include Uttara, Diabari, Bhatara Sutivhola, Khilkhet Mastul, Mohammadpur Bachila, Gabtoli cattle market, Mirpur-6, Banarupa residential area, field adjacent to Dhaka Polytechnic Institute, Khilgaon Railgate, Postgola, Dholaikhal, Rahmatganj, Shyampur Kadamtoli, Kamalapur, Amulia, and Sagarika areas of Chittagong.
The central bank said that there is a large amount of cash transactions in the animal markets before Eid. Therefore, bank branches and sub-branches around the markets should be kept open from 10 am to 10 pm every day from June 3 until day before Eid, June 6. This will allow buyers and sellers to conduct financial transactions safely.
In addition, orders have been given to set up temporary bank booths in the markets. These booths will provide facilities for depositing and withdrawing cash as well as opening new accounts.
Bank branches located near cattle markets operated under Dhaka North and South City Corporations and Chittagong City Corporation have been asked to take necessary measures to implement this directive.
Bangladesh Bank said that this initiative will ensure transparency and security in cash management at cattle markets. This will allow customers to transact in a smooth and risk-free atmosphere.
