TCB incurs Tk1,412cr deficit in FY25 from subsidised sales
The commerce ministry has sought urgent fund release to cover the shortfall.
The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) incurred a deficit of around Tk1,412 crore in fiscal year 2024-25 from subsidised sales of sugar, soybean oil and lentils under its family card and open truck programmes.
The commerce ministry has written to the finance ministry seeking release of funds to cover the shortfall.
In a letter today (22 February), Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said the import and local procurement costs and sale prices of TCB products for FY25 were properly audited. According to the audit report, the subsidy claimed by TCB is justified.
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To support low-income groups, the government supplies essential commodities once a month at subsidised prices through TCB family cards. Cardholders receive two litres of soybean oil, two kilograms of lentils, one kilogram of sugar and five kilograms of rice. Additional items are sometimes included.
According to TCB data, soybean oil is sold at Tk100 per litre, sugar at Tk70 per kilogram and lentils at Tk60 per kilogram. However, procurement costs, storage expenses and dealer commissions result in total costs exceeding the selling price.
TCB currently has more than 4.5 million family cards. In special situations, products are also sold through open trucks, although prices in truck sales are slightly higher.
A senior TCB official said the total annual subsidy, including Ramadan items, rice and onions, amounts to around Tk3,500 crore. However, soybean oil, sugar and lentils are the main items under the family card scheme, and their subsidy is calculated separately.
He warned that without timely release of subsidy funds, it would not be possible to procure these essential items on schedule.
