Despite clear instructions from Bangladesh Bank to ensure uninterrupted banking services during the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha holidays, a shortage of cash has emerged at ATM booths across different areas of Dhaka, leaving customers in distress.
In some locations, ATM booths have gone out of service, while others have imposed withdrawal limits, causing significant inconvenience for the public.
A visit to several areas of the capital on Sunday and Monday revealed that ATM booths of a number of banks were practically non-functional. Some banks have also introduced restrictions on cash withdrawals. As a result, customers are struggling to withdraw the cash they need ahead of Eid.
A resident of Golapbagh said he failed to withdraw money using his Bank Asia card from several nearby ATM booths belonging to different banks. After trying multiple booths without success, he was eventually able to withdraw cash from a Bank Asia ATM.
Mirpur resident Julkar Naeen faced a similar ordeal.
He said after visiting several ATM booths unsuccessfully, he was ultimately forced to withdraw cash directly from a bank branch.
Customers have complained that they are facing various problems when trying to use cards from one bank at the ATM booths of another bank.
On condition of anonymity, a bank official said that banks are not receiving the amount of cash they requested from the central bank.
“On Sunday, we requested Tk 300 crore, but received only Tk 120 crore,” the official said.
Meanwhile, City Bank Managing Director Mashrur Arefin said that all of the bank’s ATM booths have sufficient cash supplies and that customers of all banks are able to withdraw money without difficulty.
On May 21, Bangladesh Bank issued a directive instructing all commercial banks, mobile financial service providers, payment service providers, and payment system operators to keep digital transaction services and ATM operations active around the clock during the Eid-ul-Azha holidays.
Bangladesh Bank Executive Director and spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan said there are no restrictions on cash withdrawals.
He added that banks failing to provide proper ATM services or ensure adequate cash supply should shut down those ATM booths.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
