The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), a wing of the Commerce Ministry that deals with different trades and businesses, has announced an increase in the price of subsidised sugar by Tk 30 per kg, bringing the new price to Tk 100 per kg.
The decision was communicated through a handout signed by Humayun Kabir, Joint Director of TCB’s Dhaka Regional Office.
The sales of TCB products, including edible oil, pulses, rice, and sugar, at affordable prices are ongoing among one crore beneficiary card-holding families of low income.
The second phase of sales is set to start across the country from March 7, coinciding with the upcoming Ramadan.
State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam (Titu) is scheduled to inaugurate the sale of the second phase at the Polytechnic ground adjacent to Colony Bazar at 9:30 am.
These sales activities will be conducted from dealers’ shops or designated places with the overall cooperation of city corporation, district, and upazila administrations, following a scheduled date and time plan.
Subsidised prices for various essential commodities will be available during this phase. They include two litres of edible oil at Tk 100 per litre, two kg of lentils at Tk 60 per kg, one kg of sugar at Tk 100 per kg, dates at Tk 150, and five kg of rice at Tk 30 per kg. Notably, the price of sugar has been increased by Tk 30 per kg from its previous rate of Tk 70 per kg.
In response to concerns about the supply of sugar in the market following a fire at S Alam Group’s warehouse, the state minister for commerce reassured the public that there is an ample supply of sugar.
He stressed that if anyone attempts to manipulate the price, legal action will be taken by the government.
The junior minister also addressed the issue of oil prices, mentioning a reduction of Tk 10 per litre, with a cap of Tk 163 per litre. Any attempt to sell oil above this price will result in immediate government action.
Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh and Bangladesh Competition Commission Chairperson Pradeep Ranjan Chakraborty were among those present during a seminar titled ‘Peer Review Dissemination Workshop on Competition Act of Bangladesh’ organised by the Bangladesh Competition Commission at a hotel in the capital on Wednesday (March 6).
