The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh has started selling potatoes at Tk 40 a kilogram alongside its regular commodities in an effort to control the market prices.
Commerce adviser Sk Bashir Uddin inaugurated the programme for selling of potatoes alongside other commodities by TCB through trucks outside the TCB鈥檚 office in the capital鈥檚 Karwan Bazar area on Wednesday.
Under this initiative, potatoes will be sold from 50 trucks in various locations of Dhaka city.
After inaugurating the operations as chief guest, the commerce adviser said that ahead of the holy month of Ramadan, the government had been working in an integrated manner in a bid to increase the food basket of TCB among some one crore families.
He said that the government was trying to increase and diversify the TCB鈥檚 sale items in various areas through procuring commodities after negotiations and also saving money.
He informed that the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection would enhance their field operations in the coming days.
Bashir said, 鈥榃e鈥檙e also trying to address the problems in the supply chain as soon as possible. We鈥檝e reduced duty on sugar, edible oil and dates in a speedy manner.鈥�
He informed that the government had given approval for importing some 20 crore pieces of eggs.
Besides, he said that potatoes and rice were also being imported. 鈥楽o, if we can simplify further the supply side on the market and increase the quantity, then I hope that stability in prices on the market will be restored very soon,鈥� he added.
The commerce adviser also sought wholehearted support from all in this regard adding, 鈥榃ith united efforts from all, we鈥檒l be able to restore comfort on the market.鈥�
He also hinted that the TCB operations for selling potatoes alongside other commodities would continue until the situation comes to a normalcy.
According to the TCB, each customer can purchase up to 3 kilogram of potatoes.
The TCB will also sell products at reduced prices through 20 trucks in the Chattogram region and 50 trucks in Dhaka.
Commerce secretary Md Selim Uddin was present as a special guest.