BB orders extended banking hours near cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Adha

Bangladesh Bank (BB) has directed all scheduled commercial banks to keep branches and sub-branches located near sacrificial animal markets open until 10pm ahead of Eid-ul-Adha to facilitate secure and uninterrupted financial transactions during the peak Qurbani trading season.

To this end, the central bank today (24 May) 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.

Under the directive, designated bank branches and sub-branches situated near approved Qurbani Haats will operate extended hours from
10am to 10pm starting 24 May and continuing until the day before Eid-ul-Adha.

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 emphasise 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.