State-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) started selling essential items, including rice for the first time, on Sunday at subsidised rates.
As per the announcement by the prime minister, one crore family cardholders all over the country can buy per kg of rice at Tk 30.
Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Mojumder inaugurated the selling programme at TCB's Uttara regional office in the capital.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, senior commerce secretary Tapan Kanti Ghose, food secretary Mohammad Ismail Hossain, director general of the Directorate General of Food Mohammad Shakhawat Hossain and TCB chairman Brigadier General Mohammad Ariful Hasan were present during the inaugural ceremony.
The Food Minister said the government will sell 6 metric tonnes of rice per month through TCB to assist low-income people.
He said one cardholder can buy a maximum of five kilograms of rice, two litres of soybean oil, two kilograms of lentils and one kilogram of sugar from dealers across the country including the capital Dhaka.
The Commerce Minister said selling subsidised rice by the TCB will give relief slightly to the low-income people.
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
