82 businesses fined Tk12.16 lakh in nationwide market drives

The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has fined 82 businesses Tk12.16 lakh for various irregularities during nationwide drives against counterfeit and adulterated products and to ensure fair prices and normal supplies of essential commodities.

The drives were conducted simultaneously by 43 teams across 28 districts, including Dhaka, on Thursday, targeting wholesale and retail businesses.

In a special drive in Madhya Badda in the capital, three businesses were fined Tk6 lakh in total for packaging and marketing counterfeit coffee and sauces.

The drive was led by Assistant Directors Md Abdul Jabbar Mondal and Indrani Roy of the DNCRP's Dhaka divisional office.

According to the directorate, Doha Corporate, Masum Enterprise and Junaid Enterprise were each fined Tk2 lakh under Section 50 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, for selling products in counterfeit packaging bearing the names 'Nascafe Coffee', 'American BBQ Sauce' and 'Yellow Mustard Sauce'.

Members of SRB-1 and Badda Police Station assisted the operation.

During the nationwide drives, officials monitored the supply of gas cylinders and the prices of essential commodities to check whether traders were charging more than government-fixed or stipulated prices.

They also inspected whether businesses displayed updated price lists, manipulated weights and measurements, sold expired products and medicines, or produced and marketed counterfeit and adulterated goods.

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Business owners were instructed to display accurate and updated price lists in visible places, sell products at prescribed prices and ensure correct weights and measurements.

They were also warned against selling counterfeit, adulterated and expired products, hoarding goods or creating artificial shortages. Traders were instructed to preserve purchase and sales receipts or vouchers and provide them to customers.

To raise public awareness, officials distributed leaflets and pamphlets among consumers and traders.

Law enforcement agencies, health inspectors, the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and representatives of relevant industry and trade associations assisted the drives.

The directorate urged consumers not to purchase more products than necessary, warning against practices that could contribute to artificial shortages. It also advised shoppers to check price lists, maximum retail prices, manufacturing and expiry dates, and the accuracy of weights and measurements before making purchases.

Consumers were further advised to collect receipts or vouchers from sellers.

People who experience irregularities or fraud while purchasing products can lodge complaints through the DNCRP hotline at 16121.

The directorate said such monitoring drives would continue to maintain market discipline, ensure fair prices and protect consumer rights.