Govt to expand TCB's OMS programme to 10 lakh RMG worker families

In a move to support low-income communities, the government will extend its ongoing Open Market Sale (OMS) programme to include families of ready-made garment (RMG) workers in areas surrounding Dhaka city.

Initially, the initiative will benefit 10 lakh such families, allowing them to purchase essential goods such as soybean oil, lentils, and sugar at subsidized prices. The programme is expected to expand later to cover workers from other sectors.

The decision was approved in principle during a meeting of the Advisers Council Committee on Economic Affairs (ACCEA) today (27 November) chaired by Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed. The expansion is part of the government's broader strategy to stabilize the market and support vulnerable populations.

Currently, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), a subsidiary of the Commerce Ministry, runs the OMS program to supply essential goods at reduced rates to 1 crore low-income families across the country. The program is designed not only to alleviate financial pressure on struggling families but also to stabilize market prices amid ongoing economic challenges.

Following the ACCEA meeting, a session of the Advisers Council Committee on Government Purchase (ACCGP) was held, also chaired by Dr Salehuddin, to approve several proposals for importing essential commodities. Speaking to reporters after the meetings, the adviser emphasised the government's dual focus on increasing supply through imports and boosting domestic production.

The government is importing essential goods while the private sector also contributes to the supply chain. Together, this ensures availability and helps stabilise prices, he said.

He highlighted the importance of robust market monitoring to narrow the gap between import or production costs and retail prices. Due to active monitoring, this price gap is already showing a downward trend, he noted.

The finance adviser clarified that the government's existing OMS program is targeted to reach 1 crore people, and the initiative has not yet fully achieved this goal.

Despite this, the new garment worker-focused extension underscores the government's commitment to supporting vulnerable groups in a targeted manner.

In addition to market stabilization efforts, Dr Salehuddin pointed out the government's focus on timely delivery of school textbooks for students and streamlining passport services for expatriate Bangladeshis, signalling a comprehensive approach to addressing public needs.