The Trading Corporation of Bangladesh on Sunday started selling onions at Taka 36 per kg through e-commerce companies to prevent onion price hike while also keeping the essential bulb within reach for the middle class.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi inaugurated the programme titled ‘Onion at Home’ as the chief guest over Zoom.

The government has taken this initiative to curb the rise in onion prices and to allow middle class buyers to buy onions online.

The public will be able to buy the onions through selected online retailers.

At present, the price of onion has been fixed at Tk 36 per kg, and each person can buy a maximum of 3 kg for now, although they plan to raise this to 5 kg.

In addition, the delivery price of each order has been fixed at a maximum of Tk 30.

Speaking as the chief guest, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi urged buyers not to panic and buy the prescribed amount of onions online.

“The limit has been fixed for how many kg of onion is required for a family for one week. You must abide by this limit. If there is any irregularity somewhere, let them know about e-cab or the coordination committee that has been formed here. They will resolve quickly,” said the minister.

Commerce Secretary Dr Md Jafar Uddin presided over the programme.

Besides, TCB Chairman Brigadier General Md Ariful Hasan addressed the occasion as the special guest.

To start with, 8 online retailers have struck deals with TCB to sell its onions online in Dhaka and Chattogram.

Besides, five more companies are going to get the online dealership of TCB.