70 businesses fined Tk641,500 in nationwide market drives

The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has fined 70 businesses a total of Tk641,500 during nationwide drives against market irregularities, overpricing and adulteration, with 47 teams conducting operations in Dhaka and 35 districts on Wednesday.

In Tongi Bazar in Gazipur, a business was fined Tk40,000 for selling adulterated sauce without a Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) licence, and 500 litres of the product were destroyed.

The directorate said the drives monitored prices and supplies of essential commodities, including edible oil, chickpeas and lentils, in wholesale and retail markets. Enforcement measures were also taken against overpricing, unjustified stockpiling, the creation of artificial shortages and manipulation of weights and measures.

The teams also monitored the sale of expired goods and medicines, the production and marketing of counterfeit and adulterated products, and violations of regulations by hotels and restaurants.

During the operations, traders were instructed to display updated price lists in visible places, ensure accurate weights and measures, and refrain from disrupting the supply of goods.

In Tongi Bazar, an operation led by Afsana Parvin, assistant director of the DNCRP's Gazipur district office, resulted in the destruction of 500 litres of adulterated sauce stored in 100 containers, each with a capacity of five litres. The business was fined for selling the sauce without a BSTI licence.

Awareness leaflets and pamphlets were distributed among consumers and traders during the drives. Law enforcement agencies, health inspectors, the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and representatives of relevant industry and trade associations assisted in the operations.

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To prevent artificial shortages, the directorate advised consumers against buying more products than they need. It also urged them to check price lists, maximum retail prices, manufacturing dates and expiry dates before purchasing goods, and to collect receipts from sellers.

Consumers who face irregularities or fraud when purchasing products can lodge complaints through the directorate's hotline, 16121.

The directorate said such drives would continue to maintain market discipline and ensure fair prices.