Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Jan 12, 2026 (BSS) - The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh 
(TCB) has completed its preparations to sell essential commodities at 
subsidized prices to low-income people ahead of Ramadan, holiest month in the 
Islamic lunar calendar. 

There is no shortage of products, TCB officials said, adding, "A consignment 
of chickpeas and dates has already arrived while the remaining shipment, 
currently awaiting unloading at Chattogram Port, is expected to reach Khulna 
next week."
 
Sales will be conducted exclusively through Family Cards during Ramadan and 
no product shortage is anticipated.

In Khulna district and the metropolitan area, a total of 1,42,848 Family Card 
holders will be covered. Of them, 65,463 beneficiaries are in 31 wards in the 
city while 77,385 beneficiaries are spread across nine upazilas of the 
district.

Under the programme, beneficiaries currently purchase two litres of edible 
oil, one kilogram of sugar and two kilograms of lentils for Taka 390 per 
month through authorised dealers.
 
In addition, under a pilot initiative, five lakh beneficiaries' nationwide 
received toiletries and detergents from a single consignment, 50,000 
beneficiaries in Khulna have already availed themselves of this benefit.

Officials said the initiative may continue if it proves popular.
TCB officials said chickpeas and dates are added to the package during 
Ramadan.

A tender for these items was completed two months ago. Stocks from the head 
office will be transported to Khulna, and sales to beneficiaries will begin 
before Ramadan.

Confirming the preparations, TCB Khulna Office Chief and Joint Director Md 
Humayun Kabir told BSS that all arrangements for Ramadan sales have been 
completed. 

"Dates and chickpeas will be added to oil, sugar and lentils. In Khulna, 261 
dealers will sell the items across 31 city wards and nine upazilas," he said.

Prices for dates and chickpeas are yet to be finalised, and dealers will use 
a mobile app to sell products to consumers.

Asked about the start date, the official said the schedule is yet to be 
finalised due to the national election, as district officials are currently 
busy. "A meeting will be held immediately after the election. However, sales 
will start before Ramadan," he assured.

On truck sales, Kabir said the programme is currently suspended and would 
require approval from the Ministry of Commerce to resume. If approved, 
consumers outside the Family Card system would also be able to purchase the 
TCB products.

Regarding new applicants and those without Family Cards, he said applications 
have been sent to the ministry but approvals are still pending.

Meanwhile, inquiries revealed that after a change in government, an online 
review of Family Cards began.

Due to unfamiliarity with the process, many cards were cancelled. Cards held 
by multiple members of the same family were also cancelled. As a result, many 
previous beneficiaries, and new applicants whose cards have not yet been 
issued will miss out this Ramadan.

Previously, TCB's truck sales during Ramadan enabled broader access for low-
income people, especially slum dwellers in the city who queued from early 
morning. That option will not be available this year.

The absence of elected representatives at the Khulna City Corporation (KCC) 
has also added to beneficiaries' difficulties, as ward-level offices 
reportedly lack updated records of cancelled cards and pending applications.

Molla Maruf Rashid, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ward-30, told BSS one Family 
Card is issued per family and that multiple cards obtained earlier by some 
families were cancelled and redistributed digitally. 

Many applications submitted after August 5 last year have been forwarded to 
Dhaka and will be distributed once cards are received, he added.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the KCC Rajib Ahmed, who holds the rank of 
Deputy Secretary, has recently taken on the role and, as of his statement, 
was not yet fully briefed on the details of the TCB programme.