Thousands Struggle for TCB Goods in Chattogram as Allocation Falls Short

Local Correspondent

In Chattogram, long queues for subsidized goods from the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) have left many returning empty-handed due to limited allocations. Dealers reported that only 200 families receive goods per location daily, far fewer than the crowds gathered.

On Monday, TCB resumed its truck sales after a month-long hiatus, covering wards 1-20 on the first day and wards 21-41 the next. Wednesday saw mixed coverage across 20 locations, including Cheragi Pahar, where hundreds of men and women stood in line for hours.

Goods sold from TCB trucks include sugar at Tk 70/kg, lentils at Tk 60/kg, chickpeas at Tk 60/kg, dates at Tk 155/kg, and soybean oil at Tk 100/liter. A package containing these essentials costs Tk 580.

Many, like Jharna Begum, arrived as early as 7 AM, only to purchase goods after hours of waiting. Others, such as Saiful, expressed uncertainty about getting anything even after waiting for hours.

Selim, another disappointed customer, lamented, “I stood in line, but the crowd is too large. I’m leaving empty-handed.”

Dealers have described the situation as challenging. Pradip Das of Cheragi Pahar’s TCB truck said, “We’re allocated goods for 200 people, but double that number shows up. We can only sell what we’re given.”

The situation has overwhelmed local officials, with some seen pleading with the crowd to maintain order. Miscommunication about truck locations also added to the chaos.

Since the Yunus government canceled Awami League-era “Family Cards,” TCB truck sales resumed on October 24, initially serving 400 families per location. Current allocations have been halved to 200 families per site, leaving many in despair.

Shafiqul Islam, TCB’s Chattogram regional head, said, “The allocation is a government decision. We cannot go beyond that.”

Wednesday’s TCB truck locations included Cheragi Pahar, Steel Mill Bazar, EPZ Mor, Yakub Nagar, and other spots across the city, but the limited supply failed to meet the growing demand.