Dhaka, Mar 07 (V7N) –The demand for affordable goods from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh is increasing daily in the capital, with long queues of low-income people forming in front of TCB trucks, where each consumer is allowed to buy a limited quantity of essential items at subsidized rates.

 

The prices are significantly lower than market rates, helping consumers save a decent amount per purchase.

However, due to high demand and limited supply, many have to leave empty-handed even after waiting for hours.

The queues are starting earlier than before, sometimes as early as 6am, in hopes of securing essential goods.

The primary objective of the TCB’s product sales operation is to provide essential goods at affordable prices to low-income people.

In a market where prices continue to rise, the TCB plays a crucial role in ensuring

 

access to basic necessities for the underprivileged.

However, the current state of TCB sales operations in the capital is deeply frustrating for many, as they are unable to purchase products despite waiting in line for hours.

Once the trucks arrive, there is a rush to purchase goods, often leaving physically weaker and elderly individuals unable to compete in the chaotic environment.

No one knows when a TCB truck will arrive, yet hundreds of people, many of whom are fasting, queue up along the roads from early morning, leading to growing frustration and despair among the masses.

Dealers associated with the TCB said sales operations were being conducted at 50 locations in the capital.

In areas such as Kalshi, Mirpur, Jatrabari and Rampura, public outrage escalated, with truck staff being assaulted, they added.

Some sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the number of consumers far exceeded the supply allocated to each truck, making it impossible to maintain order.

They called for the intervention of law enforcement agencies to manage the situation.

Visits over the first three days of Ramadan revealed that low- and fixed-income individuals gather in various locations from early morning in search of TCB trucks. People start lining up at 6am, but the trucks often arrive only at around 11am – or sometimes not at all.

 

According to sources within the TCB, the organization has expanded the coverage of its sales operations but has reduced the allocation per truck.

Previously, each truck served 250 customers, but for the past three days, only 200 people per truck have been receiving goods.

In Dhaka, where 50 trucks were once able to serve 12,500 people daily, the number has now dropped to 10,000 – meaning 2,500 fewer people are receiving goods.

Similarly, in Chittagong, the allocation has been reduced for 1,000 individuals.

Regarding the reduction in allocation, the TCB says its operations have been expanded to several divisional cities, which has resulted in a slight reduction in supply per truck.

However, consumers say many people were already returning empty-handed every day due to a lack of products, and now this issue has only worsened.

Lokman Hossain, a resident of Dhaka’s Konapara, said he stood in the local TCB line every day to buy goods, but as soon as he got close to the truck, he came to know that the products had run out. “So I have to return home empty-handed."

Tariqul Islam, a representative of Mayer Doa Enterprise, a TCB dealer in Khilkhet, said: "Every day, we bring enough goods for 200 people, but 300 people line up. Naturally, 100 people go back with nothing.

“There is nothing we can do about it, but we have to face altercations with people every day."

Expansion promised

 

Meanwhile, TCB spokesperson Humayun Kabir told this correspondent that the TCB’s operations would be further expanded in the future, benefiting more people.

“The subsidized sales program has received an overwhelming response. However, the price of lentils has been increased by Tk5 per kg to adjust it with market rates.”

He added that if the procurement price of lentils dropped, the TCB would also reduce its selling price accordingly.

In response to a question, he confirmed that the TCB had extended its operations to several more divisional cities, leading to a slight reduction in per-truck allocation.

Economists’ recommendations

Economists believe that given the current situation, it is crucial to increase the supply of TCB products and the number of trucks.

However, they say, the TCB's capacity cannot be expanded overnight, as the economy must also be taken into account.

They urge the enforcement of strict measures in market management and breaking up syndicates so that the general public can afford essential goods, saying these would ultimately have a positive impact on the TCB’s product distribution as well.

END/MSS/AJ