TCB resumes sale amid price hike, low turnout

Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has resumed its mobile truck sales of essential commodities after a two-month hiatus. However, prices have increased, and the once-large crowds behind the trucks appear noticeably smaller.

Under this mobile "Truck Sale" initiative, TCB is selling edible oil, sugar, and lentils at subsidised rates. The prices are set at Tk 135 per litre for cooking oil, Tk 85 per kg for sugar, and Tk 80 per kg for lentils.

In contrast, the retail market prices of these items currently stand at Tk 190 per litre for oil, Tk 120 per kg for sugar, and Tk 115–120 per kg for lentils.

Each consumer is allowed a maximum purchase of two litres of oil, one kg of sugar, and two kg of lentils.

Photo: Shaheen Mollah/Star

Visiting the Suritola area of Old Dhaka this afternoon, The Daily Star observed the sale in progress.

Md Sentu Mia, manager of Haji Muktar Enterprise, who was overseeing operations at the location, stated that sales began at 12:20pm. According to him, around 400 people would be able to buy products from their truck.

A TCB press release confirmed that 690 trucks would operate nationwide, selling subsidised goods until June 3.

Sentu further noted that the last truck sale was held on March 27, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

"The overwhelming rush we saw before is absent this time. During Ramadan, people had to stand in line for four to five hours. Now, it takes about an hour and a half to two hours," he said.

Speaking just before reaching the front of the queue after waiting for over an hour and a half, Suritola resident Shahida Akter shared her frustration.

"Earlier, we got more items for a lower price. It would have been better if the prices hadn't increased this much," she remarked after collecting her purchases.

Compared to Ramadan's truck sale, the price of oil has increased by Tk 35 per liter, lentils by Tk 20 per kg, and sugar by Tk 15 per kg.

Many speculate that the rise in prices has contributed to the reduced crowd at TCB's truck sales.