Staff Correspondent:

Many sectors were criminalised, and the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) was no exception. As a result, many affluent people ended up receiving family cards of the TCB, meant for poor and low-income groups, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin said on Wednesday.

“I have seen people who own five-storey buildings holding TCB family cards. Even jute mill owners had them,” said the adviser.

“There was a massive loophole in the selection of cardholders,” he added while speaking at a discussion titled “Trade with TCB” at the Army Golf Club in Dhaka.

He also pointed out that, in some cases, multiple cards were issued to a single family before August 5 last year.

“Some administrative officials have three cards in one family. The government is reviewing and scrutinising such anomalies.”

Following a preliminary audit, many such cards held by the same family were blocked, he said.

“We must ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the family cards.”

Citing another example of irregularities, Bashir Uddin said a TCB dealer recently visited his office and introduced himself as a neighbour in Dhanmondi.

“Living costs in that area are high. How can a TCB dealer afford to live there?” he asked.

The government is spending around Tk 12,000 to Tk 14,000 crore annually on TCB operations, and it wants to ensure that the funds are used effectively, he added.

“To achieve this, the TCB must reduce leakages and procure more food grains with the allocated funds,” he said.

The TCB should also consider partnering with the private sector in some areas to improve efficiency and reduce costs, he suggested.

Brigadier General Mohammad Foyshol Azad, Chairman of TCB, also spoke at the event, acknowledging that the TCB has some shortcomings.

“There is a significant communication gap between TCB and our valued suppliers. As a government organisation, our contract and tendering processes often take more time than usual.”