Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) started selling essential commodities across the country on Sunday ahead of the holy month of Ramadan and Eid-ul- Fitr.
While visiting different spots in the capital, the FE correspondent found good response from the consumers for purchasing sugar, lentil, check peas, soybean oil and dates at subsidised rates.
But some of them in Motijheel and Fakirapool areas told the FE that they could not purchase their required items, as those were sold much earlier.
Talking to the FE, a high official of TCB said they would increase the supply or allocation of the essential commodities to the dealers, if necessary.
TCB has started selling the essential commodities to keep their market prices stable during the upcoming holy month of fasting.
TCB has deployed a total of 184 mobile trucks, from which its designated dealers are selling the essentials at subsidised rates to the consumers.
Except on Friday and Saturday, the sale of essential commodities will continue on other five days of the week.
The TCB official said 32 trucks have been deployed in different areas of the capital, while 10 trucks in Chattogram metropolitan city, five trucks each in other divisional cities, and two trucks each in the district towns.
TCB has decided to provide 300-400 kgs of sugar, 300-400 kgs of lentil, 300-400 litres of soybean, 300-400 kgs of check peas, and 30-50 kgs of dates as daily allocation to each truck.
Each of the dealers will get 500-700 kgs of sugar, 300-600 kgs of lentil, 300-500 litres of soybean, and 500-700 kgs of check peas under single allocation.
A consumer can purchase four kgs of sugar at a rate of Tk 55 per kg, four kgs of lentil at a rate of Tk 55 per kg, five litres of soybean at a rate of Tk 85 per litre, five kgs of chickpeas at a rate of Tk 70 per kg, and one kg of dates at a rate of Tk 120 per kg.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com