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Zeauddin Ahmed

  • Economist

Former Managing Director of Bangladesh Bank and Former Managing Director of The Security Printing Corporation (Bangladesh) Limited, or Takshal 

The date of receiving new notes
The date of receiving new notes
Bank

The date of receiving new notes

On the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, Bangladesh Bank has suspended the exchange of fresh notes. The reason behind this is that they no longer want to issue notes bearing the portrait of Bangabandhu. While this decision aligns with the spirit of the mass uprising, it has left people without fresh notes this Eid, which contradicts the new spirit of the movement. Relatives and friends are constantly requesting fresh notes, assuming that, as a former employee of Bangladesh Bank, I might be able to procure some despite the restrictions. Even ardent supporters of the uprising desire fresh notes and have no objections to those bearing Bangabandhu’s portrait. The people of Chattogram, in particular, have a high demand for fresh notes; to them, fresh notes are as essential as their traditional Mezban feast. The tradition of giving and receiving Eidi during Eid feels incomplete without fresh notes, as old and worn-out notes are considered unsuitable and unacceptable for this practice. Children, too, may miss out on Eidi this year due to the unavailability of fresh notes. Consequently, Bangladesh Bank’s decision has disrupted the long-standing tradition of fresh note exchanges during the Eid festival.

Fresh notes must be issued even if not for Eid
Fresh notes
Economics

Fresh notes must be issued even if not for Eid

On March 10, 2025, Bangladesh Bank issued a circular instructing all its offices to refrain from distributing fresh notes to the public for the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr and to conduct all transactions using recirculated notes. The same directive also applied to transactions among Bangladesh Bank officials and employees. This means that no fresh notes will be issued during the upcoming Eid. However, just a few days earlier, Bangladesh Bank had issued another circular stating that fresh notes would be issued from March 19. The contradiction between these two circulars suggests that Bangladesh Bank was forced to abandon its initial plan.

Irresponsible statements about banks
Irresponsible statements about banks
Economics

Irresponsible statements about banks

The Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Dr. Ahsan H. Mansur, made a straightforward statement: despite strong efforts, some banks cannot be saved. Why can’t they be saved? Because in some banks, 87% of the loans were taken by a single family, and this money will never be recovered. This kind of statement is not new. As soon as he took office as Governor, he started declaring that several banks were bankrupt. Panic ensued, and depositors rushed to withdraw their money. Branch managers had to shut their doors to control the chaos. Those with softer hearts tried to calm customers by consoling them.

The state of political activities
The state of political activities
Politics and Bureaucracy

The state of political activities

On March 3rd, around 10 PM, two members or supporters of Jamaat-e-Islami, Nizam Uddin and Abu Saleh, were beaten to death in the Sonkhola area of Eochia Union, Satkania Upazila, Chattogram, after being declared 'robbers' via the mosque's loudspeaker. It is believed that they had a weapon, which is suspected to be a looted weapon from a police station after the fall of the Awami League government. The weapons were not limited to just one; the fugitives, who escaped, also had weapons, and five villagers were injured due to random gunfire.

Dr. Yunus: The right person to break the deadlock
Dr. Yunus: The right person to break the deadlock
State and Politics

Dr. Yunus: The right person to break the deadlock

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has emphasized the importance of establishing a joint economy comprising Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. According to him, Bangladesh holds strategic importance for both China and India due to its geographical location. In addition to geography, Bangladesh has a vast population, which he no longer considers a burden. He believes that the enthusiasm displayed by Bangladesh’s youth in July and August should be harnessed to open doors for them to conquer the world. In the realm of international trade, Nepal, Bhutan, and India’s northeastern states—often referred to as the Seven Sisters—lack direct access to a seaport. By using Bangladesh’s ports, they stand to benefit, just as Bangladesh can benefit by importing hydropower from Nepal. Dr. Yunus has expressed his desire to meet Bangladesh’s current and future energy demands by utilizing the hydropower generated from the Himalayan waters. Reportedly, Nepal is eager to supply this electricity, and Dr. Yunus is keen to capitalize on this opportunity.

Reform commission's proposals must ensure fair election
Reforms for restoration of voting rights
State and Politics

Reform commission's proposals must ensure fair election

To ensure free and fair elections, the Reform Commission has recommended reinstating the caretaker government system and the provision for a referendum. The Constitutional Reform Commission has also made similar recommendations. Recently, the possibility of the caretaker government system returning automatically has emerged following a High Court ruling. However, the system cannot be implemented until a review petition on the Appellate Division’s order that annulled the Thirteenth Amendment—through which the caretaker system was introduced—is resolved.