BB to provide officials new mobile phones every 3 years; Tk170,000 cap for deputy governors

The Bangladesh Bank has approved a policy to provide new mobile phones every three years to its officials, ranging from assistant directors to deputy governors, under a fixed price ceiling.

Officials confirmed to The Business Standard that the decision was taken in January this year. 

Previously, the facility was limited to directors, executive directors, and deputy governors.

Following the approval, additional directors, joint directors, deputy directors, and assistant directors will also be eligible to receive new mobile phones once every three years.

Under the policy, no official will be provided with cash to purchase the device. 

Instead, the mobile phones will be supplied directly by the Bangladesh Bank.

According to the approved ceiling, a deputy governor will be entitled to a mobile phone costing up to Tk170,000. 

Executive directors will receive phones worth up to Tk130,000, directors Tk70,000, additional directors Tk50,000, joint directors Tk30,000, deputy directors Tk25,000, and assistant directors Tk20,000.

Bangladesh Bank Director Arif Hossain Khan told TBS that the phones will be provided from the central bank's own treasury.

"There is no connection with government revenue," he said.