RANGPUR, March 20, 2022 (BSS) - Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi today said
the landmark move by TCB to market essential products would have a huge
impact on controlling commodity prices if dishonest traders do not create
syndicate.

  "After publication of the gazette notification regarding the withdrawal of
duty, edible oil price will come down by at least Taka 10 per litre from
today," he hoped.

  The Commerce Minister was speaking at the inaugural function of sale of
essential products by Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) through 'Family
Card' at Balapara Union parishad premises in Kawnia upazila here as the chief
guest.

  He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is providing essential products to the
low-income group people at subsidized rates so that they would get essential
items at affordable rates during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.

  However, due to increase in the prices of food items in the international
market, the prices in the country's market have also increased. If prices
fall in the international market, then prices will fall in the domestic
market.

  "If any unscrupulous trader manipulates the products of people through
hoarding or any other types of exploitations, he will be given maximum
punishment. For this, the district and the upazila administrations are
supervising all the time," he said.

  The Minister said TCB will sell products across the country from today till
March 30 in the first phase and from April 3 to April 20 next in the second
phase to provide essential items to the poorer section of people at
affordable prices.

  "Special 'Family Cards' have been distributed among the low-income group
people by making a nationwide list for the sale of essential items at
affordable prices in an orderly manner by TCB dealers using mobile trucks,"
he said.

  The list has been prepared with the help of the Deputy Commissioners,
Upazila Nirbahi Officers and people's representatives at the union,
municipality and city corporation levels considering the local population and
poverty indicators.

  "About five crore people of around one crore low-income group families will
be benefited from the program," he said, adding that the 'Family Card'
cardholders are being informed about the place and time of sale of the
products.

  Accordingly, the sale of essential products started simultaneously from
today at the designated places all over the country.

  Presided over by Deputy Commissioner Md. Asib Ahsan, Kawnia Upazila
Parishad Chairman Anwarul Islam Maya, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Tahmina Tarin,
Upazila Awami League General Secretary Abdul Hannan, Balapara Union Parishad
Chairman Ansar Ali, among others, attended the function.