Staff Correspondent:

Bangladesh Bank is set to release newly designed banknotes before the upcoming Eid-ul-Adha. These redesigned notes—ranging from 2 taka to 1,000 taka denominations—will feature graffiti commemorating the July uprising, along with depictions of the country’s heritage and culture.

Despite public demand, banks are currently unable to provide banknotes bearing the image of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Although it has been nine months since the political transition, the redesigned currency notes have yet to enter circulation. Due to the inclusion of Bangabandhu’s image, no new notes were issued during the last Eid-ul-Fitr. As a result, customers seeking to exchange torn or damaged notes in the open market have faced financial losses.

The shortage of new notes has led to an increase in the circulation of damaged currency. Many people are replacing worn-out notes in areas like Gulistan and Motijheel in Dhaka—often paying extra, thereby incurring losses.

Meanwhile, banks are enforcing strict rules for customers looking to exchange damaged notes. Even though notes with Bangabandhu’s image exist in bank vaults, banks are unable to distribute them due to Bangladesh Bank’s directives.

Bangladesh Bank stated that printing redesigned banknotes takes a minimum of one to one and a half years. However, keeping public demand in mind, spokesperson Arif Hossain Khan confirmed that new notes will be issued before Eid-ul-Adha. He added that although nine types of new notes are being printed, not all will be available immediately.

According to Bangladesh Bank, the annual demand for new notes across various denominations is around 1.5 billion pieces, while the state-owned printing press has the capacity to produce only 1.2 billion pieces.