DHAKA, Oct 17, 2022 (BSS) - The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has started selling essential items across the country at a subsidized rate.

The sale programme was formally launched today at an event organized by TCB at Lalmatia in the city, said a press release.

Senior Secretary of the Prime Minister's Office Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah inaugurated the sale programme as the chief guest. Senior Secretary of the Commerce Ministry Tapan Kanti Ghosh was also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Tapan said the commerce ministry is investigating to find out whether any irregularity takes place in distributing TCB family cards.

A total 40 teams are conducting the investigation in 64 districts across the country, he added.

The lists were prepared by local public representatives so that the genuine lower income people get the TCB commodities, the commerce secretary said, adding, however, the government teams are going to all districts to investigate if there are some faults.

PMO secretary Tofazzel Hossain said the government is providing essential commodities at subsidized prices to one crore families.

"At least five crore people are benefiting from it. These card holders can also buy 10 kgs of rice under the OMS programme of the government, which greatly reduces the expenditure pressure of these people," he added.

AHM Shafiquzzaman, director general (Additional Secretary), Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection, Brigadier General Md. Ariful Hassan, chairman of TCB, Syed Hasan Nur Islam, councilor ward-32, Dhaka North City Corporation, Md. Rafiqul Islam, proprietor of Anu Enterprise, were, among others, present at the function.

Four items - sugar, lentil, onion and soybean oil -will be sold to one crore family cardholders across the country, including Dhaka, through the designed dealers of the TCB.
According to TCB officials, this month, a family card holder can buy maximum of two liters of soybean oil, two kg of lentils, one kg of sugar and two kg of onions.

As per the latest subsidised rate, sugar will be sold at Tk 55 per kg while lentil and onion will be sold at Tk 65 and Tk 20 per kg respectively.

Besides, soybean will be sold at TK 110 per litre.