Sanchayapatra is a savings certificate issued by the government of Bangladesh. It was first issued in 1972 to motivate people to save money, collect scattered small savings, and use the savings to mitigate national budget deficiencies. For example, if the government earns 100 takas and spends 110 takas this year, the government might collect the extra 10 takas from selling sanchayapatra.
Types of sanchayapatra and who can buy which one
Currently, there are 11 schemes under the Directorate of National Savings of the government. Among them, the four types of sanchayapatra are 5-years Bangladesh sanchayapatra, 3-monthly profit bearing sanchayapatra, poribar sanchayapatra, and pensioner sanchayapatra.
Anyone individually or jointly with another person or on behalf of others can buy the first two kinds of sanchayapatra. Only 18/18+ females, physically challenged individuals, and 65+ individuals can buy poribar sanchayapatra. Pensioner sanchayapatra can only be bought by retired individuals of specific organizations. Institutions can only invest in 5-years Bangladesh sanchayapatra.
How to buy sanchayapatra
Sanchayapatra can only be bought physically from local offices of National Savings Bureaus, all post offices, Bangladesh Bank, and some specific banks. There is no way to buy it online yet. To buy a sanchayapatra, you will have to fill up the necessary forms and provide the required documents to the local office. In return you will get two computer generated vouchers. Using one you can deposit cash/cheque in the bank. The bank will then provide you with another confirmation voucher. By submitting this confirmation voucher along with the previous voucher to the office, you will receive the sanchayapatra.
However, if you submitted a cheque, you would get a token and only get the sanchayapatra when money is transferred.