Bangladesh Bank has opened special counters and stopped issuing new notes at the customer level, but is supplying money as per the demand of the banks. In this case, new design notes with July graffiti issued during the interim government are being given more. Old design notes are also going to the banks. But there are complaints that customers are not getting new notes in many bank branches.
Meanwhile, enough notes are being sold on the sidewalks ahead of Eid. Many questions are also being raised about how these notes are coming into their hands. To meet the demand, many people are buying new notes at high rates in front of Bangladesh Bank in Motijheel or from the footpaths of Gulistan in the capital. 150 to 450 rupees extra for a bundle of 100 notes.
Every year before Eid, special counters were opened in different branch offices of Bangladesh Bank including Motijheel and different branches of commercial banks and new notes could be exchanged. Recently, the central bank has stopped providing all types of customer services including cash exchange, sale of savings certificates, sale of prize bonds. Even recently, the central bank issued new notes as per the demand of new money according to the grade of officials at various levels, but stopped issuing new notes at the customer level.
Some officials of the central bank said that every bank has a current account with the central bank. As such, depositing and withdrawing money is the regular work of banks. Banks’ demand for cash increases due to various festivals including Eid. A lot of re-issued newly printed notes are released at this time. These notes are printed against the notes which are not suitable for circulation due to various reasons including tears, stains, etc. Previously, new money was given through special counters in various branches of commercial banks. The central bank then supervised it. Now the banks are distributing money according to their own way.
Many of the victims alleged that bankers were issuing new notes to customers of their choice due to lack of supervision. These notes are being distributed especially among various corporate customers, relatives, acquaintances. That is why common people cannot go to most bank branches and get new notes. In most cases branches are saying that new notes are not being exchanged.
A customer named Kaniz Fatima said that she went to the local branch of Sonali Bank for new money. Didn’t get any money there. Later also went to the principal branch of Agrani Bank. But did not get new notes there either. Later he ‘managed’ a bank official and collected two bundles of 50 rupees.
Meanwhile, enough notes are being sold on the footpaths in Motijheel or Gulistan in the capital. Outside Dhaka, new notes are being sold on the footpaths in different areas. Complaints have been received that the customers have to pay more than Tk 150 to Tk 450 while buying new notes from the footpath.
The interim government took responsibility and decided to issue new design notes. It usually takes 15 to 18 months after a new design is formulated to go to market. Among the new designs – 200, 10 and 5 rupees – these three types of notes feature graffiti painted by students during the July mass uprising. Apart from this, all the notes give place to various monuments of ‘Historical and Archaeological Architecture of Bangladesh’.
It is known that until the BNP-led government formulates a new design, the notes of this design will continue to be printed. Apart from this, notes with Bangabandhu’s photo will also be offered in the market.
Those concerned said that several meetings were held to fix the design of a note. After fixing the design the plates are prepared for printing. Then the auction process has to import paper and ink. In this case, it is necessary to decide what the watermark image will be on the paper and where the security thread or other feature will be. Generally, these papers are imported from outside the country. As per the prescribed design paper is prepared and given to Bangladesh Bank for examination.
