On Monday, field visits across Dhaka and several districts revealed that most mobile banking agent outlets remained closed, a situation set to continue until midnight on February 12. Citizens report being unable to access critical funds for healthcare, education, and essential living expenses.
Income Loss Hits Small Traders and Agents
From urban centers to rural villages, many earn their livelihood through mobile banking operations. Daily wage earners, small traders, and MFS agents have been left without income for days, while their customers are unable to access cash or complete essential transactions.
Medical Emergencies Stalled
The restrictions have had life-threatening consequences for families dealing with critical illnesses. Patients needing immediate funds for cancer treatment, kidney dialysis, or heart care are facing delays.
Sajib Ahmed, a college student from Kushtia, said: “I came to Dhaka with some money to start my father’s cancer treatment. My family sold a small piece of land and collected Tk 4 lakh, but they cannot transfer it to me because mobile banking is blocked. My father’s treatment cannot wait.”
Even short delays, families say, can have serious consequences when urgent medical care is required.
Household Expenses and Education in Limbo
Many families living in cities rely on mobile transfers to pay tuition fees, school expenses, and house rent. Guardians report being at risk of eviction or having their children miss school due to the restrictions, despite having funds ready in their accounts.
Credit Card Payments Blocked
Salaried individuals relying on mobile banking to pay credit card bills are also affected. Md Haider Ali, a Dhaka-based service holder, said:
“I deposited money into my mobile wallet to pay my American Express bill by the 12th. Suddenly, I couldn’t transfer or withdraw funds. Now I will be fined for no fault of mine.”
No Response from Bangladesh Bank
Attempts to reach Bangladesh Bank officials for comment were unsuccessful. The contact number listed on the central bank’s website (880255665001) was found inaccessible and returned a recorded response stating “wrong number.” A senior official attached to the Finance Advisor of the interim government said:
“We do not deal with this issue. Please contact the Bangladesh Bank in this regard.”
Background: Election-Period Restrictions
Bangladesh Bank imposed the restrictions to prevent fund misuse during the election. Key measures include:
# MFS transfers capped at Tk 1,000 per transaction, Tk 10,000 per day.
# Person-to-person internet banking transfers suspended.
# Merchant payments and utility bills remain operational.
# Banks and MFS providers must monitor transactions and report suspicious activity.
While the move aims to protect election integrity, experts and citizens warn that it comes at the cost of ordinary people’s access to essential financial services, including medical payments, school fees, and household bills.
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