Dhaka: Bangladesh Bank (BB) has directed all scheduled commercial banks to keep branches and sub-branches located near sacrificial animal markets open until 10 PM ahead of Eid-ul-Azha to facilitate secure and uninterrupted financial transactions during the peak Qurbani trading season. To this end, the central bank today issued a circular. The move aims to address the surge in cash-intensive transactions at cattle markets across major urban centers while reducing risks associated with carrying large amounts of cash.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, under the directive, designated bank branches and sub-branches situated near approved Qurbani Haats will operate extended hours from 10 AM to 10 PM starting May 24 and continuing until the day before Eid-ul-Azha. Banks will maintain regular daytime operations alongside special evening banking services to ensure uninterrupted liquidity support for livestock traders and buyers.
The order applies to cattle markets located within the jurisdictions of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), Chattogram City Corporation (CCC), Khulna City Corporation (KCC), Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC), and Rangpur City Corporation (RCC). In Dhaka North, the designated cattle markets include Banasree residential area, Mirpur Section-6 Eastern Housing area, Mirpur Kalshi Balur Math, Dhaka Polytechnic Institute adjacent grounds, Basila Swadesh Property area, East Hajipara near Islampur Madrasa, Uttara Sectors 16 and 18 Bou Bazar area, Gabtoli Cattle Market, Khilkhet Mastul Checkpost area, and Boroberaid Bashundhara Group grounds.
For Dhaka South, the approved markets include Kajla Bridge to Matuail MWABP Water Pump area, Meradia Moat, Brothers Union Club area, Rahmatganj Club area, Postogola Shashanghat, Uttar Shahjahanpur Khilgaon Railgate Bazar, Sikdar Medical College area, Golapbagh Adarsha School grounds, Amulia Model Town, Dholaikhal, and Sadek Hossain Khoka Field. Outside Dhaka, the directive also covers Bibir Hat and Sagorika in Chattogram, Lalbagh Sadar Hat in Rangpur, Zora Hat in Khulna, and City Hat in Rajshahi.
To strengthen service delivery, banks have been instructed to establish temporary booths within or adjacent to the cattle markets. These booths will provide essential banking services including cash deposits, withdrawals, and account opening facilities for traders and customers. The central bank also emphasized strict security measures for cash handling and transportation during the extended evening operations. Commercial banks have been instructed to coordinate adequate security arrangements for booth management and currency movement.
Recognizing the additional workload during the extended operating hours, Bangladesh Bank has further directed banks to provide special allowances to officers and employees assigned to these evening duties.