TCB’s subsidised essentials sale for Sep begins

The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) yesterday started selling essential commodities at subsidised rates through "family cards", aiming to reach one crore low-income families in September. 

Selling under a package costing Tk 405, a cardholder can avail 2 litres of soybean oil, 2 kilogrammes (kg) of lentil and 1 kg sugar once a month. Onion will be available at some places later this month.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The TCB used to carry out the sale on trucks but the "family card" concept came about in March this year in an attempt to reach a maximum number of deserving people.

Public representatives are issuing the cards and the card distribution is being monitored by the local administration. Consumers started getting products through the cards from June.

The TCB has appointed over 3,000 dealers across the country to sell the commodities through brick and mortar stores at scheduled dates and times, under the monitoring of city corporations and district and upazila administrations.

Inaugurating the programme in the capital yesterday, Senior Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh said the programme requires Tk 5,200 crore in subsidies every year.

The TCB will see whether each family can be provided the package twice every month, he added.