TCB to sell 5kg rice per cardholder from July

One crore family cardholders of the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will be able to buy 5kg of rice each at a subsidised price from July, alongside oil, sugar and lentil, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said on Tuesday.

Besides, the price of soybean oil has been reduced by Tk 10 per litre following the price reduction in the global market, he said, adding that the TCB cardholders are also getting this benefit.

The minister said this at the inauguration of TCB sales of essential commodities in Dhaka’s Tejgaon area.

Tipu said, “Through TCB, we sell oil, sugar, lentil each month, and gram and dates in the month of Ramadan at affordable prices to one crore families.

“A decision has been made to sell 5kg of rice to each cardholder from the next month. Among one crore family cardholders of the country, rice will now be given at subsidised prices along with other products.”

Due to the global situation, the prices of goods in the country have gone up slightly, the minister said. “Still we are trying to curb the prices. Meanwhile, the oil prices have been reduced in coordination with the international market.”

Tipu added, “Apart from sugar and pulses, we are discussing with traders to reduce the prices of other products.”

The minister also warned that action will be taken against those who will involve in irregularities in selling products.

In replying to a question, he told reporters that the work of turning TCB cards into smart ones is in progress and it will be done across the country. “If this work is completed, it will be possible to curb any irregularities.”

Tapan Kanti Ghosh, senior secretary of the commerce ministry, also spoke at the programme.