Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – The central bank of Bangladesh has asked the commercial banks to make sure cash is available round-the-clock at all ATMs (Automated Teller Machine) and POS (Point of Sale) points during the Eid-ul-Azha and Durga Puja holidays.
“We’ve taken measures to ensure the electronic transactions particularly during the Eid vacation,” another BB official said.
He also said such transactions normally increase significantly during the weekend and other holidays.
The scheduled banks will remain closed from October 5 to October 7 on the occasions of holy Eid-ul-Azha and Durga Puja.
“We’ve also asked the banks to take adequate security measures at their ATM booths for avoiding any untoward incident,” the central banker noted.
The banks must display notice in front of the closed or inoperative ATM booths, according to a circular, issued by the BB on Thursday.
Besides, if the services of ATM and POS of any bank remained closed for unavoidable circumstances, they must have to inform the clients instantly.
Currently, more than 5,000 ATM booths are in operation across the country. Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited (DBBL) alone operates 2,800 of them.
Besides, the DBBL operates around 800 ‘Fast Track’, booths each having at least 4 ATM machines.
“We’ve already taken measures to meet the growing demand for cash during the Eid and Puja vacations,” Shahazada Basunia, vice-president (head of marketing and public relations) of the DBBL, told BBN in Dhaka.
BBN/SSR/AD-05Oct14-12:15 pm (BST)
