Commerce adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Wednesday stated that there were widespread irregularities in selection process of TCB card beneficiaries in the past.
He said that, during his visits to different parts of the country, he had found TCB cards assigned to owners of multi-story buildings and mills.
He hoped to bring about positive changes and rationality in the TCB鈥檚 operations during his tenure.
He made these remarks while speaking as chief guest at a business talk titled 鈥楾rade with TCB鈥� organised by the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh in the capital Dhaka on Wednesday.
He said that the government purchased goods worth Tk 12,000-14,000 crore for one crore families.
鈥榃e want to see proper utilisation of this money. We want to select eligible beneficiaries for this and at the same time, we want to purchase more goods with this money,鈥� he added.
Bashir also said that he wanted traders to participate in the TCB鈥檚 work, adding that this would increase trade opportunities.
The commerce adviser said that the market system was sound during Ramadan this year due to the overall efforts.
He also called upon the business community to increase its participation in the operations of the TCB so that they can stand beside millions of underprivileged families.
He alleged that the TCB was not free from corruption in various sectors before the August 5 revolution.
鈥業鈥檝e received a lot of evidences regarding this during my visits to different parts of the country,鈥� he added.
Nazneen Kawsar Chowdhury, commerce secretary (routine charge), said that the TCB鈥檚 true potential could be realised through substantial and sustained engagement with private sector.
鈥楤y engaging in various ways, businesses that collaborate with the TCB become part of a larger mission of ensuring affordable access to essentials for millions along with contributing to national trade resilience,鈥� she added.
She also said that the ministry was assisting the TCB in聽digitalisation and called on international partners to explore long-term opportunities with the TCB.
TCB chairman Brigadier General Mohammad Foyshol Azad said that聽the TCB distributed some essential items among registered beneficiaries through smart cards and truck sales.
鈥楾he TCB wants to enhance business ties with all potential local and international traders. There are some drawbacks too and to address those, we intend to collaborate with local and global partners,鈥� he added.
TCB director (commercial) SM Shaheen Parvez made the keynote presentation at the event.
TCB officials and businessmen from different sectors of the country also spoke at the event.
