Ensure TCB goods reach upazilas
The High Court yesterday directed the government to take steps to sell the Trading Corporation Bangladesh's essential commodities to people at upazila level, beyond the city corporations and municipality areas, amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The principal secretary to the prime minister's office, commerce secretary and chairman of TCB have been asked to take necessary measures in the next seven days to this effect.
The HC bench of Justice JBM Hassan passed the order following a writ petition filed by rights organisation Law and Life Foundation, seeking necessary directives.
The bench held a virtual hearing on the writ petition over video conference.
Law and Life Foundation President Barrister Humayun Kabir Pallob told The Daily Star that the TCB's daily essentials are currently sold to people in city corporation and municipality areas at a minimum rate while those in upazila levels are deprived of the TCB goods.
"We filed the writ petition as a public interest litigation with the High Court on May 31, seeking its directives on the authorities concerned of the government to expand the project of selling TCB goods to upazila levels so that people [there] can purchase daily essential commodities at a minimum rate. The High Court has granted our prayer," he said.
The lawyer also said the government has been asked to inform the High Court by June 11 what steps have been taken to comply with its order.
Deputy Attorney General Samarendranath Biswas represented the state.
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