The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has fined 72 businesses a total of Tk 763,000 for various violations during nationwide market monitoring drives aimed at stabilising prices of essential commodities, ensuring normal supply and preventing the sale of counterfeit and adulterated food products.
A total of 40 teams of the directorate conducted the drives simultaneously at wholesale and retail markets in 27 districts, including Dhaka city, on Sunday.
The inspections focused on monitoring the prices and supply of edible oil and other essential commodities, ensuring the display of updated price lists, preventing sales above government-fixed prices, detecting weight and measurement fraud, and curbing the sale of expired goods and medicines.
The teams also inspected hotels and restaurants to ensure compliance with relevant regulations and took measures against the production and sale of counterfeit and adulterated products.
During the drives, traders were warned against creating artificial shortages, engaging in unreasonable stockpiling and disrupting the supply chain. They were also instructed to display updated price lists prominently and ensure accurate weights and measurements.
In a separate operation in Pabna, the DNCRP detected the use of prohibited chemicals to rip unripe bananas artificially within 24 hours.
Acting on a tip-off, an inspection team led by Mohammad Mahmud Hasan Rony, assistant director of the DNCRP’s Pabna district office, raided a cowshed in the Rakhalkachi area under Maligachha Union.
During the operation, officials found that chemicals were being applied to unripe bananas to turn them yellow within 24 hours before being marketed.
The business concerned was fined Tk 50,000 under the Consumers’ Right Protection Act, 2009. Around 12,000 bananas treated with chemicals were also destroyed publicly with the assistance of local residents.
The directorate also distributed leaflets and pamphlets among consumers and traders to raise awareness about consumer rights and market regulations.
Representatives of relevant government departments, law enforcement agencies, health inspectors, the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and local industry and trade associations assisted the inspection teams.
The DNCRP advised consumers not to purchase more products than necessary, as excessive buying could contribute to artificial shortages. It also urged them to check price lists, maximum retail prices (MRPs), manufacturing and expiry dates before purchasing goods.
Consumers were further advised to check weights and measurements and collect purchase receipts from sellers.
The directorate requested consumers to report irregularities or fraudulent practices by calling its hotline at 16121.
The DNCRP said its market monitoring activities would continue to ensure market discipline, fair prices, and safe and hygienic food and prevent the production and sale of counterfeit and adulterated products.
