Over 44 lakh TCB cards cancelled for irregularities: Commerce Adviser

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin said that some family cards for subsidized Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) goods were cancelled due to irregularities in the distribution process.

The TCB has been distributing goods at subsidized rates to one crore family cardholders across the country since the tenure of the ousted Awami League government, he said.

Widespread irregularities occurred in the card distribution and dealer selection processes, and the incumbent government has already identified these anomalies, he said.

“We have cancelled some TCB cards following reports of irregularities,” he said, adding that the ousted government has destroyed many institutions and the TCB is one of the examples.

While addressing a programme organised by the Economic Reporters’ Forum held at its office in Paltan area of the capital Dhaka on Tuesday, he said the TCB operates with a budget of Tk 11,000 crore, with the government providing an annual subsidy of Tk 4,500 crore.

“You will be surprised to hear that TCB has 16 offices across the country, with a total of 142 staff, including drivers and security guards. Having a budget of Tk 11,000 crore for such a workforce and operations is nothing but ridiculous,” he said.

Out of the one crore family cards, 56 to 57 lakh cardholders have already been selected and the remaining cards have been cancelled, he said.

The commerce adviser said that the government has already introduced new smart cards to replace the old ones to remove anomalies in the total process.