Sylhet faces commodity crunch during Ramadan

Owing to shortage of essential commodities, the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has failed to satisfy the demands of common consumers in Sylhet.
With increasing demand leading to rising prices of commodities in open markets, the affected consumers are anything but happy during the holy month of Ramadan.
Earlier, the TCB had decided to sell five essential items at fair prices in open trucks across the country alongside its general dealers so that low-income people can avail of some respite during Ramadan.
But the state-run body has failed to supply the items to its general dealers due to shortage. Initially, the trading corporation had started supplying up to 1,800 kg of commodities to each open-truck dealer. But the amount was drastically reduced to 300 kg later.
Notwithstanding this, the demand for the fair price commodities on trucks has been increasing by the day. In Sylhet’s Bondorbazar area, a long queue was seen behind the truck selling essential goods supplied by the TCB.
The same scene was seen in other areas of the city.
The demand for TCB goods has increased this time due to high prices of commodities in the markets, said Ruhul Amin, a consumer at Bondorbazar OMS.
Many consumers alleged that the trading corporation had deliberately reduced sales by open trucks with the excuse of inadequate supply during Ramadan.
TCB dealers, however, claimed that the stocks of most items were finished in the initial phase of distribution.
Joshim Uddin, a stock in-charge of TCB goods, said, “With the rise in consumer demand, the authorities have decided to increase the quantity of commodities.”
TCB information officer Humayun Kabir said, “We're against black marketeers. With the demand for TCB goods increasing, we'll take up the matter in the next meeting.”

Sylhet faces commodity crunch during Ramadan

Owing to shortage of essential commodities, the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has failed to satisfy the demands of common consumers in Sylhet. With increasing demand leading to rising prices of commodities in open markets, the affected consumers are anything but happy during the holy month of Ramadan. Earlier, the TCB had decided to sell five essential items at fair prices in open trucks across the country alongside its general dealers so that low-income people can avail of some respite during Ramadan. But the state-run body has failed to supply the items to its general dealers due to shortage. Initially, the trading corporation had started supplying up to 1,800 kg of commodities to each open-truck dealer. But the amount was drastically reduced to 300 kg later. Notwithstanding this, the demand for the fair price commodities on trucks has been increasing by the day. In Sylhets Bondorbazar area, a long queue was seen behind the truck selling essential goods supplied by the TCB. The same scene was seen in other areas of the city. The demand for TCB goods has increased this time due to high prices of commodities in the markets, said Ruhul Amin, a consumer at Bondorbazar OMS. Many consumers alleged that the trading corporation had deliberately reduced sales by open trucks with the excuse of inadequate supply during Ramadan. TCB dealers, however, claimed that the stocks of most items were finished in the initial phase of distribution. Joshim Uddin, a stock in-charge of TCB goods, said, With the rise in consumer demand, the authorities have decided to increase the quantity of commodities. TCB information officer Humayun Kabir said, Were against black marketeers. With the demand for TCB goods increasing, well take up the matter in the next meeting.