C T Online Desk: Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin said that the government is intensifying efforts to stabilize the prices of essential commodities by increasing their supply through imports and ensuring field-level supervision.
Speaking at the launch of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB)’s subsidized potato sale program at Kawran Bazar on Wednesday, the adviser emphasized the government’s focus on mitigating inflation caused by supply shortages.
“In consultation with stakeholders, we have significantly reduced import duties on various products to boost supply. Despite incurring revenue losses of thousands of crores of taka, we are working to bring stability to the market. Potato prices have reached unbearable levels, but our collective initiatives are beginning to yield results,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s awareness of people’s hardships, Sheikh Bashir Uddin added: “We have already started rice distribution and permitted the import of 200 million eggs. Extensive measures are being taken to address the prices of edible oil. With Ramadan approaching, all parties are collaborating to ensure price stability.”
Under the new TCB initiative, potatoes will be sold at Tk40 per kg through mobile trucks at 50 locations across Dhaka. Each consumer can buy up to 3kg.
The program, inaugurated at the TCB building in Kawran Bazar, will continue until the situation normalizes, with scope for expansion if necessary.
Additionally, TCB continues its distribution of essential items like edible oil, pulses, and rice at subsidized rates to one crore beneficiary cardholders from low-income families.
In Dhaka, 50 mobile trucks are being deployed, with another 20 operating in Chittagong.
Prices of TCB essentials have been set for potatoes at Tk40 per kg (maximum 3kg per person), edible oil at Tk100 per litre (maximum 2 litres per person), lentils at Tk60 per kg (maximum 2kg per person) and rice at Tk30 per kg (maximum 5kg per person).
This initiative aims to alleviate pressure on consumers and ensure the availability of essential items at affordable prices.
