United News of Bangladesh

Long queues formed in Rangpur city on Wednesday as residents lined up to buy subsidised essential goods from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), which launched truck-based sales at 15 areas in the city ahead of of Ramadan. With TCB trucks operating in 15 out of 33 wards in Rangpur city, many low- and middle-income people were seen waiting early in the morning at spots where the trucks would be stationed. People said they faced hardship in accessing the goods and called for one TCB truck per ward to ease the situation. Under the programme that started on Tuesday, consumers can buy soybean oil, lentils, sugar, chickpeas, and dates at prices lower than the regular market rate. The initiative will continue until March 12. According to TCB officials, chickpeas and dates have been added to the regular Ramadan items. Each package is priced at Tk 590. Nearly 400 customers can purchase goods from each truck daily, allowing around 6,000 people to benefit each day. Bablu Mia, who came to buy TCB goods, said, “For poor families, TCB supplies are a big help. With the current market situation, this service is beneficial even temporarily. Though the range of goods is limited, we hope it continues throughout Ramadan.” Another resident, Romjan Ali, said, “In Bangladesh, prices of all food items usually double during Ramadan. For low-income people like us, this month is very difficult. TCB’s subsidised goods are a good initiative, but more trucks would make it easier for everyone to access them.” Essentials’ prices hike in Sylhet ahead of Ramadan, SCC price list ignored Kulsun Begum, a day labourer, said, “We live hand to mouth. I have been waiting in line since morning, but I still haven’t received anything. We have no guarantee when we will get the items. Poor people have no choice but to wait in line.” Habibur Rahman, regional deputy director and office head of TCB in Rangpur, said the goods will be sold daily except on public holidays. Both family cardholders and general customers can purchase the items. He said to ensure low-income people in Rangpur city can access the goods, sales will take place at different spots on different days. Currently, 15 trucks are operating in Rangpur city while sales continue at five points in Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, and Nilphamari districts.

Police arrested a trader on Sunday night after recovering essential goods of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) from his godown in Gazipur that was to be sold at a subsidised price by the government to the poor. The arrestee was identified as Md Shahin, 33. Ismail Hossain, Officer-in-Charge of Gacha police station said Shahin was arrested during a drive conducted at Alhaz Mohor Khan Waqf Estate market at Board Bazar area following a tip off. Also read: TCB’s sale of essential items for 1 crore families starts Sunday During the drive at Sabbir-Shahin godown in the market, 2 liters each 37 bottles of edible oil, 37 packet sugar and 37 packets pulse with TCB packaging were recovered. In primary questioning Shahin said Jahangir Alamand Rafiq, office assistants of Abdullah Al Mamun Mandal, ward-35 councilor have sold him the TCB goods, said OC Ismail Hossain. “ Shamim said the office staffers of the ward-35 councilor sold oil at Tk 150 per litre, sugar at Tk 60 per Kg, pulse at Tk 70 per Kg to him and some other traders. We are conducting an investigation in this regard,” said the OC. Also read: Crowds growing around TCB trucks, women lack the access To interrogate the accused a seven day remand will be sought after producing him before court, he said. Meanwhile local sources said on Sunday, the first day of TCB sale through family cards , many listed families of ward-35 had to return empty handed at the early end of the sale at the councilor's office.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Thursday said the trading corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will distribute rice and other essentials at reduced prices among 1.0 crore families during the upcoming fasting month of Ramadan. TCB has taken preparation for distributing essentials including rice, flour, dates, edible oil, sugar and pulse among the people of lower income group and those who suffered from financial shock due to Covid-19 pandemic, the minister said. He was speaking at the opening ceremony of Mutual Trust Bank’s air lounge at Syedpur Airport on Thursday. Also read: TCB truck comes as relief amid price hike The minister said, "We are trying to match with the international market so that people can buy daily necessities at low prices." The 1.0 crore families will be assisted through TCB and OMS during Ramadan, he said. “Our plan was to provide TCB’s benefits to 50 lakh families. But on the directive of the Prime Minister, it has increased to 1.0 crore families,” Munshi added. Also read: Edible oil price increased in line with manufacturers' proposal Nilphamari-4 MP Ahsan Adelur Rahman, Local Government Deputy Director Abdur Rahman, Superintendent of Police Mohammad Mokhlesur Rahman, Nilphamari Municipal Mayor Dewan Kamal Ahmed and Mutual Trust Back Chairman Hedayatullah Rono, among other, were present at the function.

The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is selling Turkish onions at just Tk15 per kg in Sylhet city. But people are showing little interest in it.