Home ›› 13 Mar 2022 ›› Front
A significant number of people have been lining up across Dhaka to buy essential commodities at subsidised prices from Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) trucks, but many are returning home empty handed due to inadequate supply of goods, and alleged syndication.
Several people, who could not buy anything from TCB trucks even after standing in line under the scorching heat all day, complained that the trucks are not carrying enough essential commodities to cover a larger number of buyers.
They also alleged that certain groups are taking up positions in front of TCB lines, buying up the essential goods, and then selling those at higher prices elsewhere, making it difficult for the low-income groups to avail this facility.
Amena – a low income buyer from the city’s Mugda area – on Saturday said, “I have been trying to buy essentials from a TCB truck at subsidised prices for two consecutive days. But I always end up at the back of the line, and miss the chance to buy anything.”
“Some people have made a syndicate. They are filling up the front of the line, buying up the goods, and then selling the essentials in secret at a profit,” she said while waiting near a TCB truck in the Manda area.
The TCB truck had arrived in the area around 10:30am and began selling the essentials. Around 12:30pm vendors managed to sell nearly half of the goods the truck was carrying. The line was still long, and it became clear that many will have to return home without any commodities.
People waiting in line claimed that nearly half of the buyers who gather near these trucks cannot buy anything due to inadequate supply and syndication. The low-income consumers urged authorities concerned to take steps for resolving such issues.
Not enough for everyone
The TCB is selling soybean oil at Tk 110 per litre, sugar at Tk 55 per kg, lentils at Tk 65 per kg and onion at Tk 30 per kg. Each consumer is eligible to buy a maximum of 2 litres of soybean oil, two kg of lentils and sugar each and 5 kg of onion under the OMS programme.
Every day, the corporation supplies 2,500 kg – 2,600 Kg goods to 150 enlisted dealers in the capital. So, each truck can roughly serve 240 – 300 buyers.
But at least 500-600 buyers are gathering near these trucks every day, causing nearly 50 per cent of the people to return empty handed.
Saleha – who is in her sixties – was standing in line near a TCB truck in the city’s Motijheel area on Saturday. “I am a widow. I have four daughters, but no sons. I have been facing difficulties in buying essentials from the TCB truck.
“A female member of a syndicate has pushed me to the back of the line. I do not know whether I will be able to buy anything today.”
Rahman, found standing near a TCB truck in the city’s Madinabagh area, said, “I work night shift at a factory. I have been trying to buy subsidised goods from a truck for days, but without any success.
“I am standing at the back of the line today as well. The goods on this truck will be sold before I reach it.
Responding to a query, TCB spokesperson Md Humayun Kabir said, “We have heard complaints about inadequate supply of goods and syndication. We are trying our best to increase the supply of essentials to meet the market demand.
“We have directed dealers to refuse the sale of goods to anyone trying to buy from the same truck multiple times, or to people suspected of being syndicate members. Dealers can also ask the police for support if necessary.”
An occurrence in Manda
On a spot visit to a TCB truck sale spot near Haider Ali School of Manda, The Business Post found hundreds of people waiting in line. Many elderly women were found sitting on the sidewalk after feeling ill from the heat.
A young man of around 30 years – identified by local people as Hridoy – was seen buying goods from the truck multiple times on behalf of other people.
When asked about his activity, the man said, “I am not buying these goods for myself, I am helping people who are unable to stand in line.” He later left the area in a hurry.
Meanwhile, the driver of the TCB truck said, “We sold goods to him because he is helping the handicapped.” A number of people, on condition of anonymity, claimed Hridoy is a member of a syndicate.
