5.7 million smart cardholders will receive products from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB)

National Desk :    |    ০১:২২ পিএম, ২০২৫-০১-০৯

Currently, only 5.7 million families with smart cards will be able to buy subsidized products from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) in January, not 10 million as previously expected. As a result, 4.3 million cardholders who used to receive TCB products have been excluded. Previously, families received simple paper cards to buy TCB products, but these cards have now been replaced with smart cards.

The distribution of smart cards was officially launched yesterday in Tejgaon, Dhaka, by Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin. He announced that the old paper cards are now invalid, and only the new smart cards will be used for TCB's marketing activities. A total of 6.3 million smart cards have been prepared, and 3.5 to 4 million additional cards will be distributed soon.

During the previous Awami League government, one million families were given TCB cards for product distribution. However, there have been widespread allegations of irregularities in the distribution of these cards. After the interim government took charge, it decided to investigate these irregularities. After thorough verification, 4.3 million cardholders were excluded, and from yesterday, smart card distribution began for the remaining 5.7 million families.

The Commerce Adviser explained that the chaos and corruption in the distribution of TCB cards under the previous government have been addressed, and smart cards are being issued to rectify the situation. He also mentioned that 6.3 million smart cards have been prepared, with another 3.5 to 4 million cards ready for distribution.

TCB officials also clarified that families with multiple cardholders or with incorrect information on their cards have been excluded. So far, 5.7 million smart cards have been distributed nationwide, and the process of activating these cards began yesterday. In addition, 6 million new smart cards are being printed, and they should be distributed by the end of this month. Verification of data for another 1.3 million families is ongoing.

In addition to TCB's sales operations, there are ongoing efforts to bring more transparency to the purchasing process. The Commerce Adviser expressed the desire for greater business participation in this process.

Consumers Will Get Three Products: In January, each cardholder family can purchase up to two liters of edible oil (either soybean or palm oil), two kilograms of lentils, and one kilogram of sugar. The price for each liter of edible oil is set at 100 Taka, lentils at 60 Taka per kilogram, and sugar at 70 Taka per kilogram.

Up until December, rice was part of TCB's product sales list, but as of yesterday, TCB suppliers did not sell any rice. Families can buy a maximum of 5 kg of rice at 30 Taka per kg through the TCB card.

The Food Department is responsible for supplying rice to TCB, according to its Director, Md. Abdus Salam, TCB requested rice for 5.7 million families in January, which was approved yesterday. Rice supply to TCB will begin today.

Rising Rice Prices: Following the smart card distribution ceremony, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin acknowledged that rice prices have increased, especially the prices of Nazirshail and Miniket rice. The wholesale price hike has been significantly higher at the retail level, and efforts are being made to find the cause. However, he stated that overall, this price increase seems unjustified.

According to available data, there is no shortage of rice in the market, and there is no shortfall in government stocks or local production. Since it is the peak Aman season, there is no logical reason for rice prices to rise. Therefore, he believes this increase is due to temporary hoarding.

In response to the rice price hike, the government is moving toward import liberalization, the Commerce Adviser said. He mentioned that meetings with the Governor, Food Adviser, TCB, and the Ministry of Agriculture have taken place in the last two days. The decision from these meetings is to improve the supply system by adopting an import-based approach.

He also revealed that preparations are underway for large-scale rice imports, and he hopes this will help reduce local market prices. He compared this situation to the rise in potato prices, which fell after liberalizing imports.