Will Cards Reduce Hunger? Middle-Class Families Now Queue for TCB Supplies as Prices Soar

The country’s worsening market situation has now pushed not only low-income families, but also middle-class people into TCB lines for subsidized essentials. Many who once felt ashamed to seek government aid are now standing in long queues simply to survive.

A schoolteacher in Dhaka said that surviving on a monthly salary of 22,000 taka has become nearly impossible. Basic household expenses consume almost all of his income, and fulfilling small wishes for his family has become a luxury. He said he can no longer afford to buy hilsa fish for his daughter. Soybean oil is selling at nearly 200 taka per liter, while a dozen eggs costs around 140 taka. Rice, vegetables, lentils, and almost every daily necessity are now beyond the reach of ordinary citizens.

Economists say continuous inflation is destroying people’s purchasing power. According to the latest figures from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, inflation has crossed 9 percent. Experts blame weak market monitoring, rising import costs, and supply chain problems for the relentless increase in food prices.

At the same time, discussions are growing around the government’s plan to introduce more “card-based assistance” programs. Critics argue that this is not a real solution, but rather an admission that the authorities have failed to control the economic crisis. They say people want stable incomes and affordable markets, not ration cards and endless queues.

Political analysts also point to controversy surrounding the February 12 national election. Major political parties stayed out of the polls, voter turnout was reportedly very low, and allegations of political arrangements continue to fuel debate. Amid these questions, the new government now faces mounting pressure over inflation and the rising cost of living.

Public frustration is increasing every day. As even middle-class families struggle to buy basic food items, many are asking a painful question: can printed cards reduce hunger, or does the country need real economic management and effective market control instead?