Dhaka, Sept. 1 -- The government has planned to procure some commodities in advance for its sales drive of essentials in the next Ramadan, aiming to support 10 million low-income families, sources said.

As part of the move, the state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) will purchase the required quantities of chickpeas and dates from the global market.

The TCB has already sent a proposal to the Ministry of Commerce in this connection, officials said, adding that it also sought the ministry's opinions regarding fixation of their prices and the amount of subsidies for the items.

Under plan, the TCB is considering procuring 10,000 tonnes of chickpeas worth Tk1.27 billion, including other expenditures and 2,205 tonnes of dates at t...