TIB report on "TCB's Family Card Programme" not accurate: Commerce Minister
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has rejected a report of Transparency International Bangladesh's (TIB) on Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB)'s Family Card Programme, stating that the report was not based on accurate information.
The minister said this at a press briefing on TIB's report at the conference room of the Commerce Ministry at the Secretariat today (August 17, 2022).
The graft watchdog recently published a report titled "Governance Challenges in TCB's Family Card Programme" where it claimed that the targeted population in many cases did not get the benefit of the scheme due to lack of transparency, irregularities, and corruption.
"Following the prime minister's order, TCB is selling daily essentials among one crore family card owners through selected dealers. The products are being sold in a disciplined and timely manner by using QR codes. Through this digitalised process, a person cannot buy TCB goods several times as in the past," said the minister.
Tipu added that the list of family card owners has been prepared through consultation with public representatives and the local administrations.
"We are trying to sell TCB goods among those who need them the most. Family cards are letting people buy TCB goods in a hassle-free and systematic manner. The government is providing 100 percent subsidies to continue selling goods through TCB. Most importantly, family card owners are buying essentials from TCB at their convenience, which wasn't possible earlier," added Tipu
During the briefing, the minister warned that strict action will be taken against those who'll create anomalies while distributing TCB goods.
Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Senior Secretary of the Commerce Ministry, Brigadier General Md Ariful Hasan, Chairman of TCB and AHM Shafiquzzaman, Director General (DG) of Directorate of National Consumers Right Protection, among others, were present during the briefing.
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