The number of consumers gathering at the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh鈥檚 mobile trucks has surged significantly as low-income families seek essential goods at subsidised prices at different points in the capital Dhaka.
The excessive crowd frequently results in indiscipline and chaos, with incidents of salespersons being assaulted at TCB selling points.
During the visits at several selling points in the capital, it was observed that around 400-500 people were in queues to buy subsidised essentials despite the allocation being limited to only 200 people at each point.
Since February 10, TCB has resumed its initiative to sell essential goods through mobile trucks for low-income families ahead of Ramadan at 50 spots in Dhaka and 20 spots in Chattogram. It has a plan to expand the programme to eight divisional cities and several district headquarters.
According to TCB, the prices of goods are set at Tk聽100 per liter for oil, Tk聽60 per kg for lentils, Tk聽70 per kg for sugar, Tk聽60 per kg for chickpeas, and Tk聽155 for each 500 grams of dates as part of the programme.
On Thursday, at the 60-Feet Road Culvert Masjid selling point in Agargaon, it was observed that the selling truck left without distributing any products.
Usually, the trucks arrive at the selling points between 10:30am and 11:30am and distribute 200 tokens on first-come, first-served basis. However, about 500 people have gathered at the 60-Feet Road location since the morning.
When distributors asked those without tokens to leave, an agitated group attacked them, injuring a selling assistant.
Sumon Ahmed, a TCB assistant, told聽抖阴精品聽they could not sell the products and had to leave the area quickly.
No violent clashes occurred at the Shyamoli Bus Stand selling point, but around 400-500 people were present despite only 200 tokens being allocated. This led to pushing and heated exchanges between consumers and distributors.
鈥榃e have no choice. After selling products to 200 people, we must leave the place. Our allocation is fixed,鈥� said a sales assistant at Shyamoli.
Riazul, a consumer, alleged that sellers sometimes distribute tokens to known people. In some cases, three or four members of a family collect multiple tokens standing separately in the queue.
The salespersons, however, denied the allegations, stating that they are assigned at different locations on a rotational basis, making it unlikely for them to favour specific individuals.
Despite overcrowding, TCB trucks completed sales without major incidents at Gabtoli and Adabor points.
TCB dealers said that the incidents of beating supply assistants occurred at several locations, including Mirpur 6, Kalshi, Jatrabari, 60-Feet Road in Agargaon, and Rampura in recent days. They urged law enforcement agencies to deploy police force to prevent further violence.
TCB canceled 4.3 million family cards out of 10 million nationwide and has been gradually introducing smart family cards.
However, despite expanding sales, TCB has reduced product allocations per truck from 250 to 200 people, cutting supply for 2,500 people in Dhaka and 1,000 in Chattogram per day, which has contributed to the overcrowding, consumers said.
A TCB official stated that the organisation is working to expand its programme to more divisional cities, which has needed a slight reduction in per-truck allocations in the capital.
He also said that the number of buyers exceeds the quantity of available products, leading to chaos frequently.
According to TCB, the regular market prices for the allocated products are Tk聽178 per liter for oil, Tk聽120 per kg for lentils, Tk聽125 per kg for sugar, Tk聽120 per kg for chickpeas, and Tk聽300 per 500 grams for dates.
