Delays in TCB smart card distribution leave thousands in Barishal struggling

Abdul Wahab, a resident of Dhan Gobeshona Road in Barishal city, applied for the TCB smart family card – a key support to help low-income group people buy essential food items at subsidised prices – in June this year. But nearly six months later he has yet to receive his card, leaving his family struggling with rising costs of living.

With Ramadan approaching and food prices expected to climb further, Wahab says he faces serious hardship unless he gets his card soon.

An investigation by The Business Standard has found that Wahab's case is far from unique: about 28% of applicants – more than 25,000 families – in Barishal City Corporation have not received their smart family cards despite frequent visits to local ward secretaries' offices over the past months.

TCB Assistant Director Shatadal Mondol confirmed that 58,426 family cards were cancelled in Barishal a year ago due to data irregularities, duplication and other issues. A fresh application process was later initiated, with residents from all 30 wards urged to reapply. The authorities are hopeful that data verification and distribution will pick up pace ahead of Ramadan.

TCB sources say that of the targeted 90,000 cards for the Barishal City Corporation area, only 64,608 have been distributed so far, leaving 25,392 households still waiting. In the district, 96,840 of 129,921 cards have been handed out to beneficiaries.

Mansur Hawladar, a resident of Ward 25 in the city, said he has lost count of how many times he has visited the ward secretary's office for the card. "The secretary says he doesn't know when the card will come or when we will get it," he added.

Ward 16 Secretary Md Soheb Rahman attributed the delays to long printing times: while applicants can see their card number online within 24 hours of applying, printed cards usually take three to four months to arrive from Dhaka.

Barishal City Corporation's Chief Executive Officer Rezaul Bari said due to mobile number issues and other data complexities, many applications could not be entered into the designated software. He said the head office in Dhaka is correcting these issues and sending cards, and assured that all applicants will receive their cards in turn.