TCB product sales begin in Joypurhat amidst overwhelming crowds

JOYPURHAT, Feb 20: Ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has started selling essential commodities at subsidised prices through mobile trucks in Joypurhat.

The activity was formally inaugurated on Tuesday evening at the Shaheed Dr Abul Kashem Maidan by Deputy Commissioner Al Mamun Mia.

According to district administration sources, five mobile trucks will tour different areas of the district daily until 12 March, selling TCB products for Ramadan. The designated package includes two litres of soybean oil, one kg of sugar, one kg of chickpeas, 500 grams of dates, and two kg of lentils.

The price for each package has been fixed at Tk 600.

Since the commencement of the programme, a significant presence of buyers has been observed in various parts of the district. After the truck arrived in the Harail area of Joypurhat town, hundreds of men and women were seen queuing until night to collect their goods. Suppliers struggled to manage the crowds.

TCB dealer Golam Rabbani said, "As people are getting products at prices lower than the market rate, they are flocking to the TCB trucks. This is creating pressure not only on buyers but also on the sales management."

DC Al Mamun Mia stated, "Products will be supplied through TCB until 12 March to ensure the availability of goods at affordable prices during Ramadan." He also commented that the initiative has been taken to stabilise the market and bring relief to ordinary consumers during the holy month.