Online Desk: The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is expected to launch a month-long sales drive of essential commodities at subsidised rates to 10 million low-income families this week.

The agency has set November 9 to start the drive and sought approval in this regard from the Ministry of Commerce.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi is likely to inaugurate the sales. Senior Secretary of Commerce Tapan Kanti Ghosh and TCB Chairman Md Ariful Hassan are expected to attend the event.

TCB will sell soybean oil, sugar, rice, lentils, and onions. The cardholder families can buy 5.0 kg of rice at a price of Tk 30 per kg and other commodities every month.

However, onions will be sold in only Dhaka metropolitan areas at Tk 35 per kg, according to the TCB.

A family cardholder will be able to purchase 1.0 kg of sugar for Tk 70, lentils for Tk 60 per kg, and 2.0 litres of soybean oil for Tk 100.

A TCB official said these essentials are being supplied at low prices for low-income cardholder families. As soon as possible, the 10 million cardholders will get smart cards gradually.

He also mentioned that action would be taken if anyone was found involved in anomalies during the sales of the essential items.