RAJSHAHI, Feb 24, 2026 (BSS) – During the holy month of Ramadan, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is selling essential commodities at subsidized prices in the city, as in other parts of the country.

These products are being sold daily at 15 locations across Rajshahi city. Long queues of low-income people can be seen in front of the fair-price trucks. As the prices are comparatively lower, the presence of middle-income earners in these queues is also noticeable.

However, due to limited supplies compared to demand, sales end within a couple of hours. On Monday (February 23), visits to several points in the city showed long queues forming behind TCB trucks for hours.
Buyers from various professions gather at different points to purchase essential goods at affordable prices. However, customers are also facing difficulties.

Although the trucks are scheduled to arrive by 10am, they often arrive after 12:00 pm. Moreover, as the quantity of goods carried by the trucks is insufficient to meet demand, many people fail to purchase products even after standing in line for hours. Many have to return home empty-handed after waiting for a long time.

TCB officials said each truck is selling a package of five essential items for Tk 590. The package includes two litres of edible oil, two kilograms of lentils, one kilogram of sugar, one kilogram of chickpeas, and half a kilogram of dates.

All items must be purchased together as a package. This year, each truck is selling subsidized products to 400 customers at a time. At the beginning of last year, products were sold to 200 customers at each of 10 points.

There are allegations that some individuals stand in line multiple times to buy products. The goods are reportedly being resold in the open market.

It is also alleged that those close to the dealers are given products in advance, depriving low-income people. Many expressed frustration and disappointment after failing to obtain the products.

On Tuesday, TCB products were being sold in front of Shah Makhdum Mazar Gate in the Dargapara area of the city.

Ayesha Begum said, “I have been standing in line since 9:00 am today. Nearly a thousand people are waiting here. But the truck arrived around 12:00 pm. We have to stand in the sun while fasting. Yet some people who were not even in line are getting the products. I don’t know when I will get mine.”

Alamgir Hossain, who came to buy goods near Saheb Bazar Grand Mosque, said TCB’s oil, sugar, lentils and dates are cheaper than market prices.

“That’s why I’m standing in line to buy these items. Household expenses have increased. It would help if we could buy them at lower prices here. But the dealer’s people are showing favoritism. I even saw one person buying twice,” he alleged.

Regarding the matter, TCB Deputy Director for the Rajshahi region Atikur Rahman said that due to good quality and lower prices, some groups repeatedly stand in line to collect products and resell them in the open market for profit.

“They create disorder and try to push others aside. As a result, some people ultimately do not receive the products. There is little we can do,” he said.

He added that they lack additional manpower to take action against such fraudsters. The issue has been communicated through letters to law enforcement agencies, the city corporation and other authorities. With their cooperation, the disorder could be reduced to some extent.