A fertiliser and seed dealer was fined Tk 1 lakh for selling fertiliser above the government-fixed price and committing several other irregularities during a consumer rights inspection in Sreepur upazila of Magura on Wednesday.
The fine was imposed on Liton Kumar Saha, proprietor of Messrs Ma Traders, a BADC fertiliser and seed dealership at Nakol Old Market, following an inspection conducted by the Directorate of National Consumers’ Right Protection (DNCRP).
A DNCRP team led by its Magura district assistant director Sajal Ahmed, with assistance from the district agricultural marketing office, conducted the drive at the market on September 23.
During the inspection, officials found that the dealer was selling a 50kg sack of DAP fertiliser, fixed by the government at Tk 1,050, for Tk 1,450—charging customers Tk 400 more per sack.
The authorities said the business had previously been warned against such practices.
The inspection also found that the dealer was not providing customers with sales vouchers or recording the transactions in the sales register despite selling fertiliser at inflated prices.
Officials also found a large quantity of expired seeds and pesticides at the establishment. Some expired and damaged products were allegedly being repackaged or opened and sold loose in the market.
As the trader had allegedly repeated the violations despite a previous warning, the authorities fined him Tk 1 lakh under Sections 40 and 45 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009.
The fine was imposed and collected on the spot, while the trader was instructed to refrain from such practices and sell products at fair prices in accordance with the law.
The inspection covered several establishments dealing in fertiliser, pesticides, seeds, groceries and other essential commodities at Nakol Old Market.
Officials said such drives would continue to protect consumer rights and ensure fair prices in the market.
The operation was assisted by Md Alamgir Hossain of the Agricultural Marketing Office, Magura, and a team of Magura district police.
