The government is set to launch open market sale (OMS) of key essential items today (Sunday) to keep prices within the buying capacity of the common people ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.

Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), a state-owned agency, would sell essential commodities in different parts of the country, using 264 trucks including 40 in Dhaka, 10 in Chattogram, 07 in Rangpur, 07 in Mymensingh, 05 in Rajshahi, 05 in Khulna, 05 in Barishal, 05 in Sylhet, 05 in Bogura, 05 in cumilla, 03 in Jhenaidah and 03 in Madaripur and two trucks in rest of the district towns including upazilas.

Besides, the entity would also sell the essential items through additional five trucks in the upazilas concerned under regional offices of TCB gradually, according a press release of the TCB. Sugar, soybean oil and red lentils will be sold through trucks.

Each truck will be loaded with 600-750 kilograms (kgs) of sugar, 150-200 kgs of red lentils and 1,000-1,200 litres of soybean oil every day.

The OMS programme will continue across the country until July 28, except on Fridays and Saturdays.

Soybean oil would be sold at Tk 80 per litre while Tk 50 has been fixed for each kilogram of sugar and Tk 50 for each kilogram of lentils.

Currently, around 3,000 dealers are listed with the TCB.