B Mirror Desk : On Monday, the government announced a new policy aimed at appointing dealers for TCB open market sales, which seeks to improve transparency in dealer appointments and increase their accountability. The document, titled ‘Dealer Appointment and Management Policy 2025’ for the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), was made available on the commerce ministry’s website on the same day.
This new policy replaces the previously revised ‘Dealer Appointment Guidelines 2021’, although actions taken under the former guidelines will still be recognized. In the event of any discrepancies within this policy, the government’s decision will be considered final, and it retains the authority to modify the policy as needed for the public good.
To be eligible as a dealer, applicants must be legal citizens of Bangladesh, at least 18 years old, and must operate as legitimate grocery traders with a valid trade license. Individuals who are government or private employees, elected officials, those with criminal convictions, or contractors blacklisted by government or autonomous bodies are disqualified from obtaining a TCB dealership.
Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate financial stability, requiring a minimum deposit of Tk 0.5 million in a bank account as evidence of their financial capability. They must also possess or manage a shop or sales outlet that can store and maintain at least 10 tonnes of food products. One dealer will be appointed for each ward in municipalities and city corporations, as well as in each union in other regions. However, if the number of beneficiary families in a ward or union exceeds 1,500, multiple dealers may be appointed, with the local administration responsible for defining the operational areas for each dealer.
At the district level, the deputy commissioner is responsible for overseeing the operations of all TCB dealers. TCB’s regional officers will manage and monitor dealers within their designated areas. At the upazila level, the Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) will oversee the sales and distribution activities of TCB dealers.
Dealers are required to provide all necessary documents and records, such as inventory registers, when requested by these officials. Each TCB regional officer is expected to visit a minimum of 10 sales centers across various districts each month, with at least 2 of these centers undergoing verification of beneficiary lists and product distribution records, including random beneficiary checks.
Each Upazila Nirbahi Officer will also verify the beneficiary list and product distribution records for at least 2 sales centers monthly and submit a report to the respective Deputy Commissioner. Based on the number of beneficiaries in each district, the designated products will be delivered either to district warehouses specified by the Deputy Commissioner or directly to certain dealers in the district.
Appointed dealers must deposit the required amount for allocated goods into TCB’s designated bank account one day prior to collecting the goods from the warehouse, as per the Delivery Order (DO) issued to them. The policy also states that dealerships are non-transferable, except in the event of a dealer’s death. However, if a dealer wishes to relinquish their dealership, they must submit an application to the Chairman of TCB, providing valid reasons.
