Sr. Staff Reporter, Kishoreganj :
As part of preparations ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has resumed its mobile truck sales of essential commodities after a two-month suspension. The sales drive, aimed at easing the burden of rising market prices, began last Thursday and will continue until June 3.
Despite the initiative, rising prices and limited allocation have led to visibly smaller crowds behind TCB trucks, with many low-income individuals returning home empty-handed.
In Kishoreganj, as in other parts of the country, TCB trucks are selling soybean oil, pulses, and sugar at subsidized rates. While these products are highly sought after for their affordability, the demand far exceeds the supply.
On Monday afternoon, a TCB truck stationed in front of the historic Shahidi Mosque drew a long line of men and women, braving the scorching heat in hopes of purchasing the essentials.
TCB dealer Delwar Hossain said he had been allocated enough products for only 400 people. Each buyer is allowed to purchase two liters of soybean oil, two kilograms of pulses, and one kilogram of sugar. “After 400 people, no more sales can be made,” he added.
A price comparison reveals why the rush is so intense: the bundle of two liters of soybean oil, two kilograms of pulses, and one kilogram of sugar costs only Tk 535 from a TCB truck. In contrast, the same quantity would cost Tk 713 in the open market-a savings of Tk 178.
Rehena Begum (35) from the Mithamoin College area, who had come to town for legal errands, said she decided to join the line when she saw the truck. “With prices like these, how can I not?” she said.
Others, like 55-year-old Matiur Rahman from West Tarapasha, echoed her sentiment. “We stand in line for hours in this heat because we simply can’t afford market prices,” he said. “Still, many of us end up going home empty-handed.”
Another TCB dealer, Masud Rana Jewel, stated that there are currently 39 TCB dealers operating in the Kishoreganj municipal area. Each dealer will be allowed to conduct mobile sales for three days before Eid.
Despite the government’s effort to ease the strain of rising prices, the short supply remains a major concern, particularly for the country’s low-income population struggling to afford essentials during the holiday season.
