Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Tuesday expressed hope that the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) would be able to phase out government subsidies within the next five years by ensuring transparency in procurement and distribution.

“In coming out of irregularities, TCB has saved Tk 1,000 crore this year alone. If this trend continues, it will be able to save Tk 4,000–5,000 crore in subsidies within the next five years,” Bashir said while inaugurating TCB’s Ramadan truck sale programme in front of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) building at Karwan Bazar in the city.

The adviser said TCB had emerged from major irregularities that took place during the previous Awami League government, particularly involving the family card programme. The interim government has cancelled 5.3 million family cards, he said, adding that 8 million people currently hold valid cards.

He noted that around 3.5 million additional people, beyond the family card holders, will receive subsidised products through the truck sales throughout Ramadan. “This will help ease inflationary pressure during the holy month.”

The nationwide truck sale programme began Tuesday simultaneously in all 64 districts and will continue until March 12 for 20 days, excluding Fridays and public holidays.

TCB said a total of 900 trucks have been allocated for the programme, with 450 trucks operating daily to sell subsidised essentials to low-income consumers. Around 23,000 tonnes of goods will be sold to nearly 3.5 million beneficiaries through the initiative.

Essential commodities—including edible oil, sugar, lentils, chickpeas and dates—are being sold at prices lower than the market rate. Chickpeas are priced at Tk 60 per kg and dates at Tk 160 per kg for Ramadan. Edible oil is being sold at Tk 115 per litre, sugar at Tk 80 per kg and lentils at Tk 70 per kg.

Each consumer can purchase a maximum of two litres of oil, one kg of sugar, two kg of lentils, one kg of chickpeas and one to two kg of dates, subject to allocation. The truck sales are open to all.

Regular sales for family card holders will continue as usual, with the quantity and prices of edible oil, sugar and lentils remaining unchanged. During Ramadan, card holders will also be able to purchase chickpeas at Tk 60 per kg and dates at Tk 160 per kg.

In Dhaka metropolitan area, 50 trucks will operate daily, while 20 trucks will serve Chattogram metropolitan area and 15 trucks each in seven other metropolitan cities. In the remaining 55 districts, five trucks per district—totalling 450 trucks nationwide—will distribute the subsidised goods.