TDS Desk:

The government has decided to sell subsidised Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) products to an additional 10 lakh garment workers’ families, in addition to the 1 crore families already benefiting from the TCB family card programme.

The initiative has received in-principle approval from the Economic Affairs Advisory Council.

With this approval, garment workers will be included in TCB’s upcoming product distribution programme, according to Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed.

The decision was made at a meeting of the Economic Affairs Advisory Council on Wednesday, chaired by the Finance Adviser.

In response to a question from the media, the adviser explained that the proposal to sell subsidised TCB products to 10 lakh garment workers’ families had been approved, and TCB would implement it.

He added that TCB is likely to source the required products from its existing supply designated for the 1 crore families currently under the programme.

Responding to a query on whether the 10 lakh garment workers would be included within the existing 1 crore beneficiaries of subsidized TCB products, Dr Salehuddin Ahmed clarified that they would indeed be part of the existing pool.

He mentioned that not all 1 crore families had been issued cards yet and emphasised that, for now, the focus would remain on garment workers. He also hinted at the possibility of expanding the programme to other sectors in the future.

The distribution of subsidised TCB products to garment workers is set to commence with the next sales programme. Initially, it will cover areas near Dhaka, including Tongi, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Ashulia, and Savar.

Currently, the government is providing subsidised essentials like edible oil, lentils, and sugar to 1 crore families through TCB family cards. Additionally, the Food Department is distributing 5 kg of rice to each of these families as part of ongoing programmes aimed at making essential commodities affordable for low-income individuals.

The government has approved the sale of subsidised Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) products to 10 lakh garment workers, based on a recommendation from the Ministry of Commerce following a request from the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The initiative is expected to cost approximately Tk31.36 crore per month for providing essentials like sugar, edible oil, and lentils. Additionally, the Food Department would require around 5,000 metric tons of rice monthly to support the programme.