After a 39-day break, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is set to resume selling essential commodities at subsidized rates through mobile trucks from Monday, aiming to support low-income consumers ahead of Ramadan.
In preparation for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan, TCB has announced the resumption of its mobile truck sales program, providing essential commodities such as edible oil, lentils, sugar, chickpeas, and dates at subsidized prices. According to a press release issued on Sunday, the program will initially operate in various locations across Dhaka and Chattogram. Consumers can purchase these items directly from the trucks by standing in line, just like before. TCB also plans to expand the initiative to other divisional cities and selected districts soon.
TCB sources revealed that the ongoing subsidized sale of edible oil and lentils to low-income families with smart cards will continue. However, the mobile truck sales will be available to consumers who do not possess these smart cards.
Under the revised pricing structure, a consumer can buy up to 2 kg of lentils at BDT 60 per kg, 2 liters of edible oil at BDT 100 per liter, 1 kg of sugar at BDT 70, 2 kg of chickpeas at BDT 60 per kg, and 500 grams of dates for BDT 155. Given the importance of chickpeas and dates during Ramadan, TCB has included them in the list of subsidized items.
Additionally, TCB has distributed 5.7 million smart family cards through district and city corporation offices for nationwide subsidized sales. Another 600,000 smart cards are in the final stages of printing and are expected to be delivered this month. So far, data verification for 1.5 million National ID holders has been completed for new card issuance.
The government is providing these smart cards free of charge, while TCB is responsible for procuring goods locally and through imports, ensuring their distribution via designated dealers. However, local administrations and city corporations are overseeing the selection, information processing, card distribution, activation, and monitoring of sales.
TCB has urged consumers to contact their nearest ward office or Upazila Nirbahi Officer’s (UNO) office for any smart card-related inquiries.
Liberty News’ economics correspondent states notably, TCB had initially launched the mobile truck sales program in 70 locations across Dhaka and 30 in Chattogram on October 24 last year. The initiative was temporarily halted on December 31 due to rising market prices but is now being resumed to provide much-needed relief to consumers.
LND/BAIZID
