Dhaka:The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) conducted a nationwide market drive today, resulting in fines totaling TK 10.91 lakh imposed on 116 businesses for irregularities concerning essential commodities, including LPG cylinders and edible oil.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the operation involved 57 teams conducting simultaneous inspections across dealer, wholesale, and retail businesses in the Dhaka metropolitan area and 47 districts. The initiative focused on ensuring that gas cylinders were sold at government-fixed prices, stabilizing the prices of essential commodities, and maintaining a normal supply in the markets.
Officials checked compliance with government-fixed prices for LPG cylinders, monitored edible oil and other essential commodity prices, and inspected whether businesses were visibly displaying updated price lists, providing purchase and sales vouchers, and avoiding excessive pricing.
In a separate operation in Pabna, DNCRP discovered the production of adulterated milk at a location in the Koidanga area of Bhangura upazila. This operation, led by DNCRP Pabna Assistant Director Md Mahmud Hasan Roni, uncovered the use of palm oil, detergent, and jelly-like substances to adulterate milk. The team seized two jars of jelly-like substances, a jar of palm oil, prepared adulterated milk, and a blender machine, all of which were destroyed on site per the law.
Abul Basar, implicated in the adulteration, was fined TK 1 lakh under Sections 42 and 43 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, and the production site was temporarily sealed.
Businesses were instructed to avoid creating artificial shortages, stockpiling commodities unreasonably, or disrupting supply. They were also warned to prominently display updated price lists and adhere to government pricing for gas cylinders. Consumers were advised to verify the weight, seal, expiry date, and any defects of gas cylinders before purchase and to retain receipts or vouchers.
The DNCRP urged consumers facing irregularities, overcharging, or fraud to report these issues via their hotline at 16121. The agency stated that these monitoring drives will continue to maintain market discipline, ensure fair pricing, and keep the supply of essential commodities stable.