Dhaka:The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has imposed fines totaling Tk 7.14 lakh on 82 businesses for various irregularities uncovered during nationwide market monitoring drives. These operations were conducted to stabilize prices and ensure the normal supply of essential commodities, such as fruits and edible oil.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the drives were carried out by 44 teams from the directorate, targeting wholesale and retail markets in 33 districts, including the Dhaka metropolitan areas. The efforts aimed to monitor prices and supply, ensure the display of updated price lists, prevent sales above government-fixed prices, curb manipulation in weights and measures, and stop the sale of expired products and medicines.
The campaign also focused on preventing the production and sale of counterfeit and adulterated products while ensuring compliance with relevant regulations at hotels and restaurants. Traders were instructed not to use harmful chemicals or prohibited substances in fruits and to maintain accurate weights and measurements during sales.
Businesses were warned against creating artificial shortages, engaging in unreasonable stockpiling, and disrupting the supply of commodities. They were also required to display updated price lists visibly and ensure proper weights and measurements.
To raise public awareness, the teams distributed leaflets and pamphlets among consumers and traders, providing necessary guidance. Representatives of government departments, law enforcement agencies, health inspectors, the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), and relevant industry and business associations assisted in the market monitoring activities.
The directorate advised consumers to avoid purchasing more commodities than necessary, warning that excessive buying could lead to artificial shortages. It urged consumers to check displayed price lists, maximum retail prices (MRPs), manufacturing and expiry dates before purchasing products, ensure accurate weights and measurements, and collect purchase receipts from sellers.
Consumers experiencing any irregularities or fraud in purchasing goods have been encouraged to lodge complaints through the DNCRP hotline 16121.