Dhaka:The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has imposed fines totaling Tk 5,60,500 on 95 establishments for various irregularities during a comprehensive market monitoring drive. This initiative aims to stabilize essential commodity prices and ensure a consistent supply across the nation.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, 51 teams conducted the drive simultaneously in the Dhaka metropolitan area and 38 other districts. These teams scrutinized the pricing and supply conditions of essential goods and checked for any consumer rights violations.
During the inspections, the DNCRP teams verified whether shops displayed updated price lists and if traders charged prices higher than the fixed rates. They also looked into potential manipulations of weights and measures, sales of expired goods and medicines, and any production or sale of counterfeit and adulterated products.
Traders were instructed to maintain accurate and visible price lists, adhere to prescribed pricing, and ensure correct weights and measures. They were warned against selling counterfeit, adulterated, and expired products, hoarding essential commodities, and creating artificial shortages.
Authorities further advised businesses to preserve sales receipts and provide them to customers. To raise awareness about consumer rights, leaflets and publicity materials were distributed among consumers and traders.
The monitoring effort was supported by representatives from relevant government departments, law enforcement agencies, health inspectors, the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), and various industry and trade associations.
The DNCRP also advised consumers to avoid purchasing more than necessary and to check price lists, maximum retail prices (MRP), and production and expiry dates before making purchases. Consumers were encouraged to verify weights and measures and to collect receipts from sellers.
Furthermore, the DNCRP urged consumers to report any irregularities or frauds encountered while purchasing goods through its hotline 16121. The directorate affirmed that these monitoring drives will continue to maintain market discipline, fair pricing, and the protection of consumer rights.