TCB drops 5.9m beneficiaries: Minister

TCB Programme Sees Major Beneficiary Reduction as Digital Reforms Begin

Thebangladaily.com – Bangladesh’s Trading Corporation of Bangladesh programme has removed 5.9 million beneficiaries from its subsidised-goods scheme, marking a significant change in the government’s approach to market support and household assistance.

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir announced the development on Thursday while opening the sale of TCB products at Karwan Bazar in the capital. He also outlined a longer-term plan to gradually end TCB subsidies over the next four to five years.

The government plans to phase out TCB subsidies within the next four to five years.

The TCB programme has been used to provide selected essential goods at subsidised prices, offering support to beneficiaries during periods when market conditions place added pressure on household budgets. The minister indicated that the programme would remain in operation for now, particularly because the market continues to face imbalances linked to supply and supply-chain conditions.

Market stability depends not only on the availability of products but also on how efficiently those goods move through distribution channels. Disruptions or inconsistencies in supply can affect prices and access for consumers. Muktadir said those disparities were still influencing the wider market situation.

TCB’s subsidised programmes would continue to benefit people, particularly amid the existing imbalance in the market.

Digital Cards Expected to Reduce Costs

A central part of the planned reform involves converting TCB cards into a digital system. Muktadir said the move could save the government between Tk 3 billion and Tk 3.5 billion.

Digitisation is intended to make the delivery of subsidised products more manageable for both beneficiaries and programme administrators. It may also help streamline the handling of card-related problems, including cases where a card is misplaced or damaged. The minister said measures would be put in place so that eligible beneficiaries do not lose their access to subsidised goods in such situations.

For families relying on the programme, continuity of access is an important practical concern. A physical card that is lost, torn or otherwise unusable can create immediate difficulty if there is no simple replacement process. Digital services, Muktadir said, would make these procedures easier.

The projected savings suggest that the government sees technology as a way to reduce administrative costs while maintaining the programme during the transition period. The effectiveness of that approach will depend on whether beneficiaries can use the revised system without unnecessary barriers.

Dealer Selection to Move Online

The minister also announced plans for an online dealer management system for TCB dealerships. Dealers play a key role in getting subsidised products to beneficiaries, making their appointment process an important part of the programme’s operation.

Under the proposed arrangement, applications for dealerships would be handled digitally. Where the number of applicants is greater than the number of available dealerships, selection would take place through a digital lottery.

An online system could provide a more standardised process for managing applications and appointments. The proposed lottery mechanism would be used only when demand for dealerships exceeds the available opportunities, rather than as a replacement for the application process itself.

The changes point to a broader effort to modernise the administration of TCB activities while the subsidy programme remains active. The reduction of 5.9 million beneficiaries, the planned use of digital cards and the introduction of online dealer management all form part of that shift.

A Transition Period for Subsidised Sales

The government’s stated goal of withdrawing TCB subsidies over four to five years means the programme is not being ended immediately. Instead, the announcement establishes a transition period during which subsidised sales are expected to continue, especially while supply-chain issues and market imbalances persist.

That distinction is significant for beneficiaries who currently depend on TCB products. The immediate policy direction combines continued support with administrative restructuring, rather than an abrupt halt to subsidised distribution.

Muktadir’s remarks at Karwan Bazar placed the programme’s future within a wider discussion of market conditions. While the government prepares for a gradual reduction in subsidies, it is also pursuing systems intended to make distribution, beneficiary services and dealer appointments more digital.

For now, the TCB programme remains positioned as a source of support for people affected by existing market pressures. The coming years will determine how the planned phase-out, card digitisation and dealer-management reforms are carried out in practice.