RANGPUR, March 20, 2022 (BSS) - The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh

(TCB) with assistance of local administrations and public representatives
started selling essential items at subsidized rates among 2,83,312 low-income
group families of the district today.

     The 'Family Card' holder beneficiary families of all 76 unions in eight
upazilas, three municipalities and Rangpur City Corporation in the district
are buying the essentials from trucks of TCB dealers marking the upcoming
holy month of Ramadan in the first phase.

     Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi inaugurated selling of the essential
commodities at subsidized rates at a function held at Balapara union parishad
premises in Kawnia upazila here today.

     Mayor of Rangpur Mostafizar Rahamn Mostafa and Deputy Commissioner Md.
Asib Ahsan inaugurated selling of TCB essentials at Rangpur Diabetic Samity
premises near Passport Office in the city.

     Under the program, 566.624 tonnes of sugar and chickpea each and 566.624
liters of soyabean oil will be sold among 2,83,312 'Family Card' holder low-
income group families through 135 dealers at 222 spots across the district in
two phases.

     Under strict supervision of the local administrations, the TCB dealers
began selling the essential items using trucks at 24 spots, including six
spots in Rangpur city, on the first day today and will continue the process
until March 30 in the first phase.

     Besides, the TCB dealers will start selling the essentials from April 3
and continue until April 20 next in the second phase across the district.

     Under the program, a 'Family card' holder consumer can purchase a
maximum 2 kgs of sugar at Taka 55 per kg, 2 liters of soybean oil at Taka 110
per liter, 2 kgs of lentil at Taka 65 per kg and 2kgs of chickpea (gram) at
Taka 50 per kg.

     While visiting a number of selling spots in the city today, this
reporter found that each of the 'Family Card' holder families is buying 2 kgs
of sugar, 2 kgs of chickpea and 2 litres of soybean oil at a total cost of
Taka 460.

     Talking to BSS at Shalbon High School spot in the city, beneficiaries
Aklima Begum and Golam Mostafa expressed happiness after purchasing 2 kgs of
sugar, 2 kgs of chickpea and 2 litres of soybean oil at Taka 460 today.

     Beneficiaries Nurun Nahar and Farida Yasmin at Mominpur union parishad
premises in Sadar upazila said they were very happy after purchasing 2 kgs of
sugar, 2 kgs of chickpea and 2 litres of soybean oil at only Taka 460 today.

     Talking to BSS, Divisional Commissioner Md. Abdul Wahhab Bhuiyan said
the government through the TCB of the Ministry of Commerce is providing
essential items to the poorer section of people at affordable prices in all
eight districts of Rangpur division.

     "Selling of essential items began today in the first phase in the
division," he said, adding that the process will begin in the second phase
from April 3 next and continue till April 20 next in the division as
elsewhere in the country.