Rangamati, June 27 (V7N) Allegations of widespread irregularities have surfaced in the distribution of Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) products at Mehrab Store in Bonorupa Katapahar area of Rangamati town. It is alleged that TCB products allocated for 794 underprivileged and low-income families in Balukhali Union of Rangamati Sadar upazila are not being distributed according to the official list. This has left beneficiaries frustrated, disappointed, and facing severe hardship.

Beneficiaries claim that, according to the government list, the TCB package should include soybean oil, lentils, rice, and sugar. In reality, however, two bars of soap are being given instead of rice. In addition, palm oil is being provided instead of high-quality soybean oil. As a result, poor and marginalized people are being deprived of the full benefits the government intended to ensure.

Recipients said that most beneficiaries in Balukhali Union are day laborers, small farmers, workers, widows, elderly citizens, and low-income families. With rising prices of daily essentials, TCB’s rice, lentils, oil, and sugar are crucial support for their households. But being given different products than those listed has put many families at risk of food shortages.

Several customers said, "We were supposed to get rice, but we are being given two soaps instead. And palm oil is being given in place of soybean oil. We want the products the government allocated. Why should we be deprived of what we deserve?"

Sadhan Kumar Chakma, member of Ward No. 7 of Balukhali Union, said, "There are 794 families in my ward who are TCB beneficiaries. But many are complaining that the distributed products do not match the listed items. The matter should be investigated with utmost seriousness and necessary action taken so that genuine beneficiaries receive their rightful products."

Local concerned citizens allege that irregularities in pro-poor programs like TCB most severely affect low-income people in remote hill areas. Many of these families depend on government assistance to run their households throughout the month. So, changing products or irregularities not only reflects administrative failure but also negatively impacts the food security of helpless people.

Locals demand urgent administrative intervention to ensure 100% transparency in TCB product distribution. They also called for an impartial investigation into the allegations, action against those responsible, and delivery of the correct government-allocated products to genuine beneficiaries as per the list.

END/AMR/RH