Many return empty-handed on first day of govt's subsidised goods sale | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
June 19, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JUNE 19, 2025
Many return empty-handed on first day of govt's subsidised goods sale

Bangladesh

TBS Report
14 November, 2023, 04:40 pm
Last modified: 14 November, 2023, 10:32 pm

Related News

  • Sri Lanka keen to strengthen relations with Bangladesh's private sector
  • 32,370 Hajj pilgrims return from Saudi Arabia
  • 82% of citizens find government healthcare services easily accessible: Survey
  • Salman F Rahman remanded in fresh case over killing during uprising
  • EC bans posters in national election campaigns

Many return empty-handed on first day of govt's subsidised goods sale

Under the initiative, the government declared selling onions at Tk50 per kg, potatoes at Tk30, lentils at Tk60, and soybean oil at Tk100 per litre through the trucks of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

TBS Report
14 November, 2023, 04:40 pm
Last modified: 14 November, 2023, 10:32 pm
File photo of TCB selling daily necessities. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
File photo of TCB selling daily necessities. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS

Many low-income people were forced to return empty-handed yesterday, the inaugural day of the government's initiative to provide some essential goods at subsidised prices at 30 designated spots across Dhaka, as the number of buyers far exceeded the available supply.

Under the initiative, the government declared selling onions at Tk50 per kg, potatoes at Tk30, lentils at Tk60, and soybean oil at Tk100 per litre through the trucks of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).

With a daily supply of 300 customers per truck, around 9,000 people will be eligible to buy the products. Each customer will be eligible to purchase a maximum of 2 kg of onions, 2 kg of potatoes, 2 litres of soybean oil, and 2 kg of lentils per day.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The initiative aims to alleviate the burden of rising commodity prices, caused by a combination of internal and external factors, on low-income residents of the capital.

On Tuesday, the initiative encountered an overwhelming response on its debut, with a staggering number of low-income people forming long queues outside the designated sales points across Dhaka.

At Rampura Bazaar, a TCB truck started selling the products at 10 am. Within a mere two hours, the truck's entire stock was depleted. Despite repeated assurances from the vendors that the supplies had run out, a substantial crowd of low-income individuals remained undeterred, insisting on purchasing the products.

The situation escalated to the point where the truck's trunk had to be forcibly opened, only to further disappoint the eager crowd.

Fatima, a sixty-five-year-old woman with a bag in her hand, was repeatedly asking the sellers whether they would bring the goods tomorrow as well. However, the vendors, without addressing her concerns, promptly departed with the truck, leaving Fatima and many others disappointed.

"My husband is a rickshaw puller. But due to his age, he cannot work for long hours. That's why I came here to buy the products at a low price. But I got nothing today," she told The Business Standard.

Habib, one of the sellers of Rumpa Traders, the company that was authorised to sell products from the TCB truck in Rampura, said, "We distributed goods to an equivalent of 300 people. However, the actual number of buyers far exceeded our allocated supply."

The absence of onions and potatoes at this outlet further fueled the buyers' frustration.

Sharifa Begum, a disappointed buyer, said, "I came here specifically for onions and potatoes, but they have run out. Nonetheless, I managed to purchase oil and lentils."

TCB officials have attributed the absence of onions and potatoes at various sales points on Tuesday to logistical challenges in procuring the full range of products. They said this issue will be resolved within the next day or two.

Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh officially launched the initiative at Karwan Bazar, aiming to provide relief to the people amidst the escalating prices of essential goods.

In addition to distributing products through designated cards to one crore households across the country, TCB resumed this traditional sales method, allowing low-income people to purchase subsidised products without requiring a card.

The government's subsidised prices stand in stark contrast to the prevailing market rates. Local onions are currently priced at Tk130-140 per kg, while imported Indian onions fetch around Tk110. Similarly, potatoes are selling at Tk50-55 per kg, lentils at Tk120-150 per kg, and bottled soybean oil at a staggering Tk168-170 per litre.

"Both onions and sugar are imported from India, but our neighbouring country has almost halted exports of both commodities. We are nevertheless attempting to maintain regular imports. These factors have made it difficult for TCB to import goods," said Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh.

TCB Chairman Ariful Hasan said in addition to the 13 lakh family cardholders in Dhaka, this programme would bring an additional two lakh people under the subsidised price support scheme.

On the first day of its relaunched truck sale initiative, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) sold products at 30 spots in the two city corporations of the capital, including Khilgaon Railgate, Mugda, Malibagh Railgate, Shanir Akhra Bus Stand, Azampur Kacha Bazar (North), Motijheel Bak Chatwar, Fakirapool Bazar, Abdullahpur Mor, Bangladesh Medical College (Dhanmondi), Azimpur Chapra Mosque, Victoria Park area etc

Top News

TCB / Bangladesh / Rampura

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Illustration: TBS
    Bribery rampant in public services: BRTA tops list, law enforcement close behind, finds BBS survey
  • A drone photo shows the damage over residential homes at the impact site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, in Tel Aviv, Israel June 16, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Moshe Mizrahi/File Photo
    Israel threatens to 'eliminate' Iran supreme leader Khamenei after Iranian missile strike
  • Illustration: TBS
    Only 27% of citizens feel free to voice political opinions: BBS survey

MOST VIEWED

  • Logo of Beximco Group. Photo: Collected
    Beximco defaults on €33m in Germany, Deshbandhu owes Czech bank €4m
  • The India-Bangladesh integrated checkpost in Fulbari. Photo: Passang Yolmo via Telegraph India
    Import of boulders from Bhutan to Bangladesh stopped by Indian transporters in Fulbari
  • Infograph: TBS
    End of a loophole: Defaulters on foreign loans barred from local bank borrowing
  • Smoke rises following an Israeli attack on the IRIB building, the country's state broadcaster, in Tehran, Iran, June 16, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS
    Israel-Iran War: Russia says Israel's attacks illegal, UAE warns of 'uncalculated, reckless steps'
  • An anti-missile system operates as missiles are launched from Iran, as seen from Tel Aviv, Israel, 18 June 2025. Photo: Reuters
    Khamenei rejects Trump's demand for surrender, Trump says 'good luck'
  • Soldiers salute Arakan Army chief Major General Twan Mrat Naing during a parade in Myanmar, 6 April 2018. File Photo: Arakan Army deputy chief Brig Gen Nyo Twan Awng/Twitter
    Rohingya militant groups recruit from camps to fight Arakan Army, warns Crisis Group

Related News

  • Sri Lanka keen to strengthen relations with Bangladesh's private sector
  • 32,370 Hajj pilgrims return from Saudi Arabia
  • 82% of citizens find government healthcare services easily accessible: Survey
  • Salman F Rahman remanded in fresh case over killing during uprising
  • EC bans posters in national election campaigns

Features

Evacuation of Bangladeshis: Where do they go next from conflict-ridden Iran?

Evacuation of Bangladeshis: Where do they go next from conflict-ridden Iran?

20h | Panorama
The Kallyanpur Canal is burdened with more than 600,000 kilograms of waste every month. Photo: Courtesy

Kallyanpur canal project shows how to combat plastic pollution in Dhaka

1d | Panorama
The GLS600 overall has a curvaceous nature, with seamless blends across every panel. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

Mercedes Maybach GLS600: Definitive Luxury

3d | Wheels
Renowned authors Imdadul Haque Milon, Mohit Kamal, and poet–children’s writer Rashed Rouf seen at Current Book Centre, alongside the store's proprietor, Shahin. Photo: Collected

From ‘Screen and Culture’ to ‘Current Book House’: Chattogram’s oldest surviving bookstore

3d | Panorama

More Videos from TBS

Army says will carry out election-related duties in line with govt directive

Army says will carry out election-related duties in line with govt directive

1h | TBS Today
Americans oppose U.S. intervention in Iran

Americans oppose U.S. intervention in Iran

1h | TBS World
Pvt sector's foreign loan rises by $454m on stable exchange rate, reserve in three months

Pvt sector's foreign loan rises by $454m on stable exchange rate, reserve in three months

2h | TBS Insight
Is Israel’s air defense system running out?

Is Israel’s air defense system running out?

3h | Others
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net