The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is set to begin selling essential commodities at subsidised rates to one crore families through smart cards from January next year, the state agency announced today.

"We have already written to the commerce ministry," said Md Humayun Kabir, joint director and public relations officer of TCB, during a press briefing at the TCB regional office in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

The agency organised the event to outline its plans for distributing goods during Ramadan, which will fall in February-March.

TCB currently distributes 20,000 tonnes of lentils, two crore litres of edible oil, and 10,000 tonnes of sugar monthly to low-income families. It also supplies rice from the food directorate. 

The state agency adds chickpeas and dates during the month of Ramadan and has already secured agreements with suppliers for this purpose.

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Distribution is conducted through one crore cards, with beneficiaries selected by district and upazila administrations, city corporation councillors, and local government representatives.

So far, 57 lakh smart cards have been prepared.

Following reports in the media about duplicate family cards, TCB is issuing smart cards to prevent multiple members from obtaining them. 

It has requested updated beneficiary lists from local administrations but has yet to receive them due to recent administrative changes.

"We expect the issues to be resolved soon," Kabir added.

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