TCB launches sale of 23,000 tonnes of Ramadan essentials via trucks

Bangla Press Desk:   With the holy month of Ramadan nearing, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is launching the sale of 23,000 tonnes of essential commodities to help stabilise market prices and support low-income consumers across the country.

The sale of essential goods at subsidised prices begins today and will continue until 12 March for 20 days, excluding Fridays and public holidays, according to the state-run agency.

Special Ramadan prices have been set at Tk115 per litre for edible oil, Tk80 per kg for sugar, Tk70 per kg for lentils, Tk60 per kg for chickpeas, and Tk160 per kg for dates.

Each consumer purchasing from mobile trucks will be allowed a maximum of two litres of oil, one kg of sugar, two kg of lentils, one kg of chickpeas and 0.5 kg of dates to ensure fair distribution.

Around 450 mobile trucks will operate nationwide each day, including 50 in the Dhaka metropolitan area, 20 in Chattogram, 15 each in seven other metropolitan areas, and five in each of the remaining 55 districts.

Each truck is expected to serve approximately 400 low-income consumers daily, distributing about 23,000 tonnes of products among an estimated 35 lakh beneficiaries across the country.

TCB authorities said all necessary preparations have been completed, and dealers have been instructed to deposit advance payments to collect goods.
 

Family card sales to continue
 

Regular monthly sales under the smart family card programme are ongoing. In addition to cardholders, around 35 lakh general consumers nationwide will be able to purchase subsidised products through mobile truck sales.

According to the Ministry of Commerce, more than 66 lakh active family cards are currently in circulation, including nearly 25 lakh newly issued cards, while 70,000 remain in the printing process.

Another 32.6 lakh approved cards are currently held at district and city corporation offices. Since August 2024, around 41 lakh new entries have been added to the family card database.

Speaking to the Daily Sun, TCB Deputy Director (Commercial) Md Shahadot Hassin said the truck sales would begin on Tuesday to maintain market stability during Ramadan and would be implemented nationwide in every district, city corporation and divisional city.

He added that the family card programme would also continue to support low-income people.

Responding to a question about schemes promised by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), including the “family card”, he said those initiatives could align with the existing smart family card system. Source: daily Sun
BP/TD