Economy Desk:
In anticipation of the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha, the Bangladesh Bank has issued new guidelines to curb the spread of counterfeit notes in the country’s livestock markets. The central bank has directed all scheduled banks to set up booths for counterfeit note detection at approved livestock markets and make arrangements for free note verification services for traders and buyers.
On Thursday (May 10), the Currency Management Department of Bangladesh Bank sent a letter to the Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of all scheduled banks regarding these guidelines.
The guidelines are as follows:
1. In approved livestock markets under Dhaka North City Corporation and Dhaka South City Corporation, experienced cash officers will be deployed with counterfeit note detection machines at each market from the day it opens until the eve of Eid. A list of scheduled banks responsible for providing free note verification services has been compiled. Authorized officers’ names, positions, and mobile numbers must be submitted to the Bangladesh Bank by May 17, 2026, via email to naima.tanzin@bb.org.bd and zarrin.tasnim@bb.org.bd. The designated officer at each bank will monitor the activities of the deployed officers.
2. For districts outside Dhaka where Bangladesh Bank has offices, the respective regional offices/branch managers should provide necessary support to set up similar arrangements in approved livestock markets under the relevant City Corporation/Municipalities.
3. In districts without Bangladesh Bank offices, the responsibility for providing note verification services in approved livestock markets has been assigned to Sonali Bank PLC’s Chest Branches. These branches will coordinate with the respective district/upazila branches of other banks and provide necessary guidelines to ensure smooth service delivery.
4. The booths should be equipped with note counting machines to facilitate cash handling.
5. To facilitate booth setup and for cooperation, contact can be made with the relevant City Corporation authorities, District Municipal Authorities, Upazila Executive Officers, approved market leaseholders, and (if required) local police, BGB, RAB, and Ansar authorities.
6. In case any counterfeit notes are detected during note verification at the booths, appropriate action should be taken as per the Bangladesh Bank’s circular dated 04/07/2007, titled “Counterfeit Notes: 01(Police)/2007-191.”
7. The bank’s name and a sign indicating “Counterfeit Note Detection Booth” should be prominently displayed at each booth.
8. A video demonstrating the security features of bank notes should be played on TV monitors in bank branches during banking hours until before Eid, for customer awareness.
9. Necessary financial incentives can be provided to the designated officers/staff for their duties, as per the bank’s policy.
10. Within 30 working days after Eid-ul-Adha, a report on the implementation of these guidelines must be submitted to the Bangladesh Bank.
M.K.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report