TCB to be revitalised

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has asked the ministries concerned to take immediate measures to activate the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) and expand its activities to keep the market stable.
The premier issued the directive for ministries including the commerce, food, finance and industries after Monday's cabinet meeting to activate the state-owned TCB to curb prices of basic commodities in local market.
Food and Disaster Management Minister Abdur Razzak unveiled this to reporters after UNDP Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Renata Lok Dessallien met him at his office yesterday.
“The prime minister asked for expanding TCB to import essential commodities like pulses, edible oil and flour to arrest their prices in the local market," the minister said, adding he discussed food security and the UNDP allocation to Bangladesh with Renata.
"The prices of pulses did not come down despite the fall in the international market," the minister said.
Replying to a query about monitoring market, he said, "I believe the government should have control over different service sectors including education, health and food."
Earlier on Sunday, Commerce Minister Col (retd) Faruk Khan told a delegation of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) TCB won't be reactivated. He added they would not intervene in or control the market.
Asked about the comments, Razzak said, "We can't leave consumers hostage in the hands of businesspersons."
He said he requested UNDP to increase food assistance to Bangladesh for an increase in VGD programme by 50 percent. "We also discussed progress of the Comprehensive Disaster Management Project."
The minister said both the government and NGOs would have to work together to make the project a success.
"The DFID and European Commission have given assurance of providing $50 million for the second phase of the project," he said, adding the money will be spent to improve living condition in disaster-prone areas.