Long queues of consumers, mainly from low- and lower-middle-income groups, were spotted across the capital on Wednesday to buy essential goods at subsidised rate from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).
The TCB launched its special subsidised sales programme in the capital and across the country from Tuesday, marking the holy month of Ramadan beginning today.
A number of needy people were seen waiting from early morning at different spots where trucks were scheduled to be stationed.
Consumers said they faced hardship in accessing the goods due to a shortage of TCB trucks. Under the TCB's ongoing programme, they can buy soybean oil, lentils, sugar, chickpeas, and dates at prices lower than the regular market rate.
According to TCB officials, chickpeas and dates have been added to the regular Ramadan items. Each package is priced at Tk 590.
Consumers alleged that prices of many food items usually double during Ramadan in Bangladesh. They said this month is very difficult for them due to price hike.
"For poor families, TCB supplies are a big help. With the current market situation, this service is beneficial, even if temporarily. Though the range of goods is limited, we hope it continues throughout Ramadan," Md Anwar told the FE in Fakirapool area on Wednesday.
"TCB's subsidised goods are a good initiative, but more trucks would make it easier for everyone to access them," he said.
"We live hand to mouth. I have been waiting in line since morning, but I still haven't received anything. We have no certainty about when we will get the items. Poor people have no choice but to wait in line," Md Jamal Mia, a day-labourer told the FE in Fakirapool area on Wednesday.
The TCB has been selling essential commodities across the country through 450 mobile trucks since Tuesday. Of these, 50 trucks will operate in Dhaka city, 20 in Chattogram city, 15 in each of the seven divisional cities and five in each of 55 district towns.
Around 400 consumers can purchase commodities daily from each truck.
A total of 23,000 tonnes of essential products will be handed out among nearly 3.5 million beneficiaries during the programme.
Each consumer is allowed to buy a maximum of two litres of edible oil, one kilogram of sugar, two kilograms of red lentils, one kilogram of chickpeas and half a kilogram of dates.
Prices of edible oil have been fixed at Tk 115 a litre, sugar at Tk 80 a kg, lentil at Tk 70 a kg, chickpeas at Tk 60 a kg and dates at Tk 160 half a kg.
On the other hand, TCB's regular sale of essential commodities will continue for nearly 6.6 million smart family cardholders at subsidised prices.
A high official at TCB said that marking the ongoing Ramadan, the TCB will distribute around 40,300 tonnes of products in February and 33,000 tonnes in March among the cardholders.
These families will be able to purchase edible oil, sugar and lentil at previous rates along with chickpeas and dates as additional items from designated truck sales points across the country. He said that both family cardholders and general customers can purchase the items.
The initiative will continue for 20 days, from February 17 to March 12, excluding Fridays and public holidays, added the official.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
