Adviser: Irregularities found in TCB card distribution

Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin has said that while distributing subsidized food to 10 million families via TCB cards is commendable, widespread irregularities in card distribution and dealer selection occurred under the previous government.

He said: “The current government is working to identify and address these irregularities.”

Speaking at the ERF-PRAN Media Award 2024 ceremony held at the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) office in Paltan, Dhaka, on Tuesday, Sheikh Bashir Uddin criticized the previous government.

He said: “The way various institutions were destroyed under the previous regime is exemplified by the condition of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB).”

He said that TCB operates on an annual budget of Tk11,500 crore, with the government providing subsidies of over Tk4,500 crore.

“You’ll be surprised to hear that TCB has 16 offices across the country with a total of 142 officers and staff, including drivers and guards. It is laughable that such a limited workforce is managing a budget of Tk11,000 crore,” he said.

Sheikh Bashir Uddin revealed that of the 10 million family cards issued, 5.6 to 5.7 million cardholders have been finalized, while the remaining cards have been cancelled.

Additionally, new smart cards have replaced the old ones.

He further said: “I have decided to personally visit several villages to observe who is receiving these cards and who is distributing them. I hope to stabilize the card distribution process within four to six weeks. Our goal is to ensure that public funds are spent fairly and justly.”