The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) fined 44 establishments a total of Tk 3.94 lakh during market monitoring operations conducted across Dhaka and 19 districts on Thursday.
A total of 24 teams of the directorate carried out the drives in different markets and business establishments, monitoring the prices of essential commodities and checking compliance with consumer protection rules.
The teams inspected whether updated price lists were properly displayed, checked for manipulation in weights and measurements, and took action against the sale of expired medicines and products as well as the production and sale of counterfeit and adulterated goods.
The directorate said the fines were imposed and collected during the day’s inspections.
As part of efforts to raise public awareness, the teams distributed leaflets and pamphlets among consumers and traders and issued necessary instructions to the businesses concerned.
Members of law enforcement agencies, health inspectors, representatives of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), and representatives of relevant trade and business associations assisted the directorate’s teams during the operations.
Advice for traders
The directorate urged traders to display updated and accurate price lists at visible locations and refrain from charging consumers more than the fixed prices.
It also asked traders not to engage in hoarding or create artificial shortages, and to ensure accurate weights and measurements.
Traders were further advised to refrain from selling counterfeit, adulterated or expired products and to provide and preserve purchase receipts during transactions.
Advice for consumers
The directorate urged consumers not to purchase more products than necessary, saying excessive buying could contribute to artificial shortages in the market.
Consumers were advised to check price lists before purchasing goods and verify their weight and measurement.
They were also asked to check the maximum retail price (MRP), production date and expiry date before buying any product, and not to pay more than the prescribed price.
Consumers should collect purchase receipts or vouchers from sellers, the directorate said.
Anyone who is deceived or otherwise faces a consumer rights violation while purchasing goods can lodge a complaint with the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection through its hotline 16121.
The directorate said such market monitoring operations would continue across the country in the public interest.
