Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin has said that about 37 lakh among the one crore Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) cards are fake.
He revealed the information while speaking at a view-exchange meeting of the committee for the "White Paper on the state of Bangladesh's economy in the capitals Agargaon on Saturday.
The adviser said that when the total number of family smart cards issued was initially reported to be one crore, but TCB is currently distributing products through 63 lakh valid cards.
The adviser explained that there was significant corruption among the one crore cards. Multiple cards were issued to the same family, and some individuals exploited the system using National ID cards.
He also clarified that among the one crore cards, 37 lakh were cancelled, but no eligible recipient has been excluded.
The commerce adviser further mentioned that they have plan to issue another 37 lakh cards. If transparency is maintained in procurement and distribution, they will even consider increasing the total number beyond one crore.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury, eminent economist Debapriya Bhattacharya and others were present at the event.
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