Queues for TCB goods getting longer during Ramadan

The recent increase in the price of essential commodities has struck a serious blow to the country's poor and middle-income citizens, who are still reeling from the Covid-induced economic standstill.

The sky-high prices of essentials such as edible oil, rice, lentil, onion, and vegetables, has compelled many to rush to the open market sale (OMS) conducted by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) during Ramadan.

Not just the poor, but also many from middle-income groups are weathering the summer heat while waiting in long queues in front of TCB-operated trucks to purchase commodities at lower prices in different parts of the capital.

However, many were seen returning home empty-handed, as the supply of goods was inadequate compared to the number of queued people.

Every day, over 135 trucks are selling six essential commodities across the capital but are failing to the requirement of people, who want to procure the basic goods at subsidised rates.

“I waited in line for hours, but failed to get any goods as the stock ran out before it was my turn,” said Moaz Ahmed, in the Segunbagicha area on Tuesday.

An elderly woman, Rahima Begum, who lives with her daughters in Purana Paltan, said poor people line up in front of TCB trucks to get basic food items at low cost to save some money.

“The government should supply adequate items so that people do not need to return home empty-handed after standing in line for hours,” she added.

Authorised distributors say demand for TCB products is expected to remain high throughout Ramadan because essential commodities were still expensive in the local markets.

Faruk Ahmed, a store salesman in Dhalpur, said he saved Tk 500 by purchasing two litres of edible oil and two kilograms of sugar, gram, lentil, date, and onion from TCB.

The second phase of TCB’s program of selling essentials in the capital began on March 27 and will continue till April 24.

A person can buy a maximum of 2 kgs of sugar at Tk 55 per kg, 2 litres of soybean oil at Tk 110 per litre, 2 to 5 kgs of onion at Tk 20 per kg, and 2 kgs of lentil at Tk 65 per kg.