Bangladesh Bank has directed public banks to immediately open accounts for people enjoying benefits under social security programmes run by the social welfare directorate.

In a directive yesterday, the central bank said people enjoying such benefits, including the elderly persons' pension and allowances for insolvent disabled and widows, can open bank accounts in their names by depositing Tk 10 against their national identity cards and pension payment orders.

Such bank accounts are aimed at making the distribution of allowance easier and hassle-free and ensuring transparency, the central bank said.

There will be no obligation for maintaining a minimum balance in these accounts, and no charge or fees could be charged, according to the central bank.

In cases where cheque books are inadequate, the transactions into these accounts can be done through voucher instead of cheque books.

News: The Daily star/ Bangladesh/ Jun-20-2011