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DHAKA: All scheduled banks in Bangladesh will remain open on Saturday (October 17) to compensate for the holidays declared from October 20 to 22 on the occasion of Sharadiya Durga Puja, the largest religious festival of the Hindu community.
Bangladesh Bank recently issued a circular announcing the decision. The circular was signed by Md Abdul Mannan, director of the central bank’s Sustainable Finance Department (SDAD).
According to the circular, all scheduled banks will remain closed on October 20, 21 and 22 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) in line with a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration on October 7. Normal banking operations will be conducted on Saturday instead.
However, the central bank has instructed banks to make special arrangements to keep import and export activities running during the holidays. Bank branches and booths in seaport, land port and airport areas must provide limited banking services from October 20 to 24. Banks may take the necessary steps in coordination with local administrations and the relevant port and customs authorities.
Bangladesh Bank said the directive had been issued in the public interest under Section 45 of the Bank Company Act, 1991.
Earlier, on October 7, the government declared an additional holiday for Durga Puja. October 20 was already a holiday by executive order for Mahanabami, while October 21 was a general holiday for Bijoya Dashami. The government subsequently declared October 22 a holiday by executive order as well.
As a result, the three-day holiday from October 20 to 22, followed by the regular weekend on October 23 and 24, will give bank employees five consecutive days off.
To compensate for the additional holiday, the weekly holiday on October 17 has been cancelled. Government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices across the country will also remain open that day.
