TCB expands sales to district, upazila levels

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) on Sunday began subsidised sale of selected commodities in district and upazila levels across the country, in a bid to supply affordable kitchen essentials to low-income groups and keep the market stable amid Ramadan.

Sources on Saturday said the goods have already been delivered to nearly every corner of Bangladesh. The corporation had earlier started subsidised sale of goods for around 12 lakh families in Dhaka on March 6, using 150 trucks.

TCB is planning to serve 1 crore people in two phases. The first phase will run from March 20 to 31. Using their family card, each family will be able to buy up to two litres of edible oil for Tk 110 per litre, two kgs of sugar for Tk 55 per kg, and two kgs of lentils for Tk 65 per kg.

The second phase will begin on April 3, offering gram alongside other three commodities for sale.

A family will be able to buy up to 2 kgs of gram for Tk 50 per kg. The commerce ministry has already issued a guideline in this regard to district and upazila authorities.

A ministry circular recently mentioned that among the 1 crore beneficiaries, 30 lakh families were selected from a database, containing names of those who received cash incentives amid the Covid-19 crisis.

With the help of public representatives and district administrations, family cards have been distributed to 57.10 lakh more beneficiaries across the country. Besides, there are 12 lakh and 90,000 beneficiaries in Dhaka and Barishal cities respectively.  

These families will be able to buy kitchen essentials from the TCB trucks.