What is required to get a TCB card, and who is eligible?

Bangla Press Desk: The government has revised the criteria for selecting beneficiaries eligible to purchase essential commodities at affordable prices from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB). While TCB sales previously covered low-income individuals generally, the new guidelines specifically define "low-income" and outline exactly who qualifies to receive a beneficiary card.
These details are outlined in the "Guidelines for Selecting TCB Beneficiaries and Implementing the Sale of Essential Commodities at Subsidized/Affordable Prices Across Bangladesh (2026)," issued by the Ministry of Commerce.
The guidelines were issued on Tuesday (September 29). They provide detailed instructions regarding beneficiary selection, card distribution, product sales through dealers, record-keeping, and field-level supervision of operations.
According to the guidelines, the following groups are eligible to become TCB cardholders: ultra-poor families, low-income individuals, the landless, agricultural laborers, day laborers, tea garden workers, rice mill workers, factory workers, and individuals unable to earn an income. Additionally, priority will be given to widows, divorced women, women abandoned by their husbands, and financially disadvantaged female-headed households containing elderly members. Destitute families with children or members with disabilities will also receive priority.
However, multiple members of the same family cannot become TCB beneficiaries. To obtain a card, a beneficiary must possess a National Identity (NID) card; the spouse's NID card will also be required where applicable. Furthermore, the beneficiary must have an active mobile number registered in their own name using their NID card.
Selected beneficiaries must be permanent residents of the respective city corporation, municipality, or union. Data on selected families will be stored in a database via the TCB service app, enabling the digital management and storage of beneficiary information.
The new guidelines also mandate the formation of separate supervisory committees at the city corporation, district, upazila, municipality, and union levels. These committees will oversee activities ranging from the selection of beneficiaries and the creation of a database to card distribution and product sales.
According to the guidelines, each TCB card-holding family is entitled to receive two liters of edible oil, two kilograms of red lentils (masoor dal), and one kilogram of sugar. Additionally, five kilograms of rice will be provided, subject to allocation by the Ministry of Food. The government reserves the right to revise the product list, quantities, and prices from time to time.
For occasions such as the holy month of Ramadan and Eid-ul-Azha, the government may also sell TCB products at subsidized rates to the general public via mobile truck sales, in addition to the standard allocations.
TCB sources indicate there are currently 7.5 million cardholders. Speaking at a recent TCB event, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir stated that 5.9 million cards have already been cancelled due to irregularities. Plans are in place to digitize these cancelled cards and reissue them to genuine beneficiaries.
The new guidelines also incorporate measures to strengthen oversight across all stages of the operation, from beneficiary selection to the actual sale of goods. At the district level, the Deputy Commissioner will serve as the chairperson of the supervisory committee, while Members of Parliament (MPs) from the respective districts will act as advisors.
This committee will also include the Superintendent of Police, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), municipal mayor or administrator, District Food Controller, Social Services Officer, Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, Women Affairs Officer, and relevant TCB officials.
Supervisory committees will also be established at the Upazila level, comprising the Member of Parliament, Upazila Parishad Chairman, and the Upazila Nirbahi Officer. At the Union level, "Tag Teams" will be formed; these teams will inspect TCB dealers' shops and sales points to ensure that products are being sold correctly to cardholders.
Specific information regarding sales must be displayed in front of dealers' shops. A price list for TCB products must be prominently posted, and cardholders must be informed of the scheduled date and time of distribution, prices, and the quantity of products being distributed. Directives have also been issued to install CCTV cameras at dealers' shops to ensure security and transparency during product sales. Additionally, arrangements must be made to inform TCB personnel about sales details in the presence of the public. New regulations have also been introduced for warehouse management; products must be stored in TCB’s own or rented warehouses, and the government will inspect these facilities as needed.
Shahadat Hossain, Deputy Director of TCB, stated that the new guidelines would further strengthen transparency and accountability in the program for selling essential commodities at affordable prices.
In the current 2026-27 fiscal year, TCB will sell 200,000 tonnes of edible oil, 220,000 tonnes of red lentils, and 110,000 tonnes of sugar at affordable rates. Currently, TCB sells edible oil at Tk 100 per litre, red lentils at Tk 60 per kilogram, and sugar at Tk 70 per kilogram.
According to TCB sources, the government had to provide a subsidy of Tk 2,700 crore in the 2025-26 fiscal year for selling these products at affordable prices. In the current fiscal year, the subsidy amount has decreased to Tk 2,400 crore.
BP/TD