The government on Monday launched nationwide sales of essential commodities at subsidised prices through mobile trucks ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, as Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir signalled tougher action against market manipulation and syndicates.
The initiative, run by the state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), was inaugurated by the minister in Agargaon, Dhaka. Under the programme, consumers can purchase edible oil, sugar and lentils at below-market rates from TCB trucks over the next 10 days.
Each buyer will be allowed to purchase up to 2 litres of edible oil, 1 kg of sugar and 2 kg of lentils. Prices have been fixed at Tk130 per litre for oil, Tk80 per kg for sugar and Tk70 per kg for lentils. A full package costs Tk480, compared with Tk700–720 in the open market, offering savings of around Tk220–240.
Speaking at the launch, Muktadir said the government has taken “landmark steps” to ensure transparency, accountability and effective oversight in the commodities market. “No syndicate or manipulation will be allowed to operate in the essential goods market,” he said.
He outlined a series of measures, including building strategic reserves of key commodities, introducing artificial intelligence-based monitoring of supply chains, and strengthening TCB’s operational capacity.
According to TCB, a total of 720 trucks will operate across the country. Of them, 50 will serve Dhaka city and district, 20 will operate in Chattogram, 15 each in other divisional cities and districts, and 10 in each of the remaining 56 districts.
Alongside the truck sales, subsidised products will also be distributed among smart card-holding families. In May, TCB plans to supply 34,848 tonnes of goods to around 7.2 million registered households nationwide.
The minister said the programme is aimed at easing pressure on low-income and marginal groups by ensuring access to essential food items at affordable prices. He noted that the number of beneficiaries is being expanded from 22.8 million during the last Ramadan to about 28.8 million this time.
He also said food distribution for Eid-ul-Azha has been increased significantly, with supplies rising to nearly 14,000 tonnes this year—about 40 percent higher than last year’s 10,900 tonnes.
Addressing concerns over beneficiary lists, Muktadir said data for about 5.9 million of the previously listed 10 million recipients had been found questionable. Following verification, 8 million eligible beneficiaries have been selected under a more transparent system, with plans to gradually include another 2 million families.
The minister added that new policies are being introduced to ensure transparency in the appointment of TCB distributors, making the system more accountable and technology-driven.
On broader market reforms, he said the government plans to build strategic reserves for selected essential commodities and bring the entire supply chain—from import to retail—under AI-based digital monitoring to enable quicker, data-driven decisions.
While acknowledging that large business groups dominate imports due to the capital-intensive nature of the sector, Muktadir said the government aims to create a more inclusive, competitive market structure by encouraging wider participation.
“The government is committed to ensuring a people-oriented market system through effective oversight and regulation,” he said.
Commerce Ministry Secretary (routine charge) Md Abdur Rahim Khan and TCB Chairman Brig Gen Mohammad Faisal Azad also spoke at the event.