Dhaka:The Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection (DNCRP) conducted drives across Bangladesh to ensure the sale of LPG cylinders at government-fixed prices and maintain the price stability and supply of essential commodities, including edible oil and eggs. These efforts resulted in 119 businesses being fined a total of Taka 10,42,500 for various irregularities in the city and 42 districts.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the DNCRP deployed fifty-six teams to inspect wholesale and retail outlets. The inspections focused on overcharging, the display of price lists, the preservation and issuance of purchase and sales invoices, as well as the stock and supply status of essential goods.
In Dhaka's Tejgaon Industrial Area, a team led by DNCRP Dhaka Divisional Office Assistant Director Md Abdul Jabbar Mondol fined Mayer Doa Enterprise Taka 50,000. The penalties were for stocking a large quantity of LPG cylinders without a license, failing to produce purchase cash memos, not issuing proper sales receipts, failing to maintain a stock register, and not displaying a price list. The stocked cylinders were arranged to be sold at government-fixed prices.
A separate operation at Karwan Bazar, led by Assistant Directors Shikdar Shahinur Alam and Md Hasanuzzaman, resulted in fines totaling Taka 23,000 for four businesses. During this operation, approximately 20 kilograms of fish with artificial coloring were destroyed. A fish seller, Sukumar, was fined Taka 10,000 for using artificial colors. Authorities instructed traders to avoid using unnecessary lighting and colored lights in fish markets. Three other businesses were fined Taka 13,000 for not displaying price lists for essential commodities and spices and for storing powdered spices on unclean floors.
The DNCRP emphasized that traders should not create artificial shortages, engage in unreasonable stockpiling, or obstruct the normal supply of commodities. They were also reminded to display updated price lists prominently and to sell LPG cylinders at regulated prices.
Consumers were advised to check the weight, seal, and expiry dates of LPG cylinders and to inspect for visible defects before purchasing. Additionally, they were encouraged to verify price lists and collect receipts or vouchers when shopping. Complaints can be lodged by calling the DNCRP hotline 16121.
The DNCRP assured that these monitoring operations would continue to uphold market discipline, fair pricing, and the regular supply of essential commodities.