Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi vowed to take tougher measures if any irregularities and misappropriations were to be found in the food programme for the people.
The minister made the remark while addressing as chief guest at the inauguration of TCB’s selling of the essential commodities at subsidized rates at a function held at Balapara union parishad premises in Kawnia upazila in Rangpur on Sunday.
“Prime Minister has given subsidy for the essentials commodities so that people can avail at a reasonable price during the holy Ramadan month. Stern punitive measures will be taken against if any illegal and dishonest traders are found to stockpile the food and syndicating,” the minister said.
“The district and upazila administration have been maintaining vigilance round the clock,” he added.
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TCB will sell the essentials from March 20 to March 30 at the first phase and April 3 to April 20 at the second phase across the country, the minister mentioned. He also said that a list has been prepared and special Family cards have been distributed among the people to sell the essentials in a disciplined way.
“Around five crore people of the country will be directly benefitted in this arrangement,” Tipu Munshi said.
According to the minister, each of the families will get 2 kg soybean at Tk 110, 2 kg sugar at Tk 55, 2 kg lentil at Tk 65, and 2 kg chickpea at Tk 50.
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The special guest, Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Asib Ahsan said that some 2,83,312 families have become the beneficiaries under the program in eight upazila and three municipalities including the city corporation area of the district.
Kawnia Upazilla parishad Chairman, Anowarul Islam Maya, Upazilla Nirbahi Officer Tahmina Tarin, Awami League Upazila unit General Secretary Abdul Hannan, and Balatari union Parishad Chairman, Ansar Ali were present at the inauguration ceremony.
