The High Court today directed the government to continue selling essential commodities through Trading Corporation Bangladesh to people at upazila level, beyond the city corporations and municipality areas, until the coronavirus pandemic ends.

The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan passed the order after the government today submitted a report before it, saying that it has already started selling essentials to people at upazila level through TCB, in line with this court's June 3 directive.

Deputy Attorney General Samarendranath Biswas placed the compliance report on behalf of the government while holding a virtual hearing on a writ petition filed by rights organisation Law and Life Foundation, seeking necessary directives in this regard.    

Following the same writ petition, the HC bench on June 3 ordered the principal secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, commerce secretary and TCB chairman to take necessary measures in the next seven days to sell essentials to people at upazila level.

 The court also asked them to submit a report to it after complying with the directives.

Law and Life Foundation submitted the writ petition on May 31 to the HC, saying that  the TCB's daily essentials are currently sold to people in city corporation and municipality areas at a minimum rate while people in upazila levels are deprived of it.

Barrister Humayun Kabir Pallob appeared for the writ petitioner during the virtual hearing through video conferencing.