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The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) is set to sell 5.0-kg rice per cardholder for the first time alongside edible oil, sugar and lentils at subsidised rates from Sunday.
The goods will be sold among 10-million low-income cardholder families.
Commerce minister Tipu Munshi is expected to inaugurate the sales drive across the country.
Food minister will be present at the programme.
Senior commerce secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh and TCB chairman Md Ariful Hassan, among others, will also attend the event.
The state-owned TCB sells soybean oil, sugar and lentils every month at subsidised prices.
From this July drive, the cardholder families can buy 5.0 kg of rice at the prices of Tk 30 per kg in addition to the three existing commodities every month.
Commerce ministry has already asked all deputy commissioners (DCs) to monitor the drive across the country and has warned against any irregularities.
An official said daily essential products were being supplied at low prices through the TCB.
Officials have been instructed to monitor whether these products are reaching people properly.
Action would be taken if anyone found involved in anomalies, warned the minister, saying work was underway to convert TCB cards into smart cards to prevent such irregularities.
Some 10 million would get smart cards gradually, he told the event.
Under the drive in July, a family cardholder will be able to purchase 1.0 kg of sugar for Tk 70 and 2.0 litres of soybean oil at Tk 100 per kg.
During the latest drive, the TCB sold lentils at Tk 70 per kg. The price of the item may be lower at Tk 60.
When contacted, the TCB chairman said, "We hope that we'll be able to begin the sales drive from July 16. All preparations have been taken regarding the issue."
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