Staff Reporter :
The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) announced yesterday that it will begin selling essential commodities at subsidised rates to one crore families using smart cards from January next year.
The TCB has already prepared 57 lakh smart family cards to prevent duplications in providing essential goods at lower prices. According to spokesperson Humayun Kabir, while one crore cards are planned nationwide, 57 lakh are ready, and 43 lakh are pending verification by local administrations for updates.
In a press briefing at the TCB office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, Kabir explained that updated information would help reduce duplications among family card beneficiaries within the same household.
Currently, the TCB distributes 20,000 tonnes of lentils, two crore litres of edible oil, and 10,000 tonnes of sugar each month to low-income families, alongside rice supplied from the food directorate.
Ahead of Ramadan, the TCB will offer five essential commodities at affordable prices in Dhaka and four items in other regions. All necessary preparations are complete, and there will be no shortage of goods during Ramadan, Kabir assured.
Edible oil, lentils, and sugar are available year-round through TCB’s truck sales, with chickpeas and dates added in Dhaka during Ramadan and chickpeas in other regions. Kabir further announced that procurement tenders are finalised, and sales will begin through smart family cards from January 2025 to ensure transparency.
Addressing allegations of irregularities against dealers, he stated that these are under review, and the registration of new dealers is suspended until an official announcement. Future recruitment of new dealers will be advertised through the media and TCB’s website.
He noted that TCB’s monitoring has faced challenges due to recent political and administrative changes, impacting deputy commissioner roles and councillor appointments, but steps are underway to resolve these issues. Kabir also urged the media to act responsibly when reporting on organisational coordination matters.