Rangpur: Long queues formed in Rangpur city on Wednesday as residents lined up to buy subsidised essential goods from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), which launched truck-based sales at 15 areas in the city ahead of Ramadan.
According to United News of Bangladesh, TCB trucks are currently operating in 15 out of the 33 wards in Rangpur city. Many low- and middle-income people were seen waiting from early morning at the designated spots where the trucks were scheduled to arrive. The demand for these subsidised goods has led to calls from the public for an increase in the number of trucks to ensure each ward is adequately served.
The programme, which began on Tuesday, allows consumers to purchase essential items such as soybean oil, lentils, sugar, chickpeas, and dates at prices lower than the regular market rates. The initiative is set to run until March 12, providing temporary relief to many families during the Ramadan season.
TCB officials indicated that chickpeas and dates have been added to the regular items available during Ramadan. Each package is priced at Tk 590, and nearly 400 customers can purchase goods from each truck daily, benefiting approximately 6,000 people every day.
Local resident Bablu Mia expressed his appreciation for the TCB supplies, acknowledging the temporary relief they provide to poor families. He noted that while the range of goods is limited, the service is beneficial given the current market situation. Another resident, Romjan Ali, highlighted the difficulty faced by low-income families during Ramadan, when food prices typically double, and called for more trucks to improve accessibility.
Kulsun Begum, a day labourer, shared her experience of waiting in line since morning without receiving any goods, emphasizing the uncertainty and challenges faced by those in need. The regional deputy director and office head of TCB in Rangpur, Habibur Rahman, stated that the goods would be sold daily except on public holidays, with both family cardholders and general customers eligible to make purchases. The sales are strategically spread across different spots on different days to ensure broader access for low-income individuals in Rangpur city.
Currently, 15 trucks are operational in Rangpur city, with additional sales points in Lalmonirhat, Kurigram, and Nilphamari districts.