Two businesses have been fined a total of Tk 90,000 during a market inspection in Khatunganj, Chattogram, over alleged irregularities involving the stockpiling of cardamom and the sale of cumin without proper date labelling.
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP), through its Chattogram divisional office, conducted the drive on Thursday to prevent unjustified stockpiling and price hikes and ensure the normal supply of essential commodities.
During the inspection, officials found that a warehouse owned by Bimal Babu held an estimated 160 to 170 tonnes of cardamom belonging to different businesses.
Of this, Hossain Corporation had stored 15 tonnes of cardamom at the warehouse in November 2025 but had sold only half a tonne, leaving 14.5 tonnes in storage.
According to the DNCRP, the prolonged storage had brought the remaining stock closer to its expiry date. The agency fined Hossain Corporation Tk 50,000 for allegedly attempting to create an artificial shortage and drive up prices by stockpiling the spice.
The inspection also uncovered stockpiling by another business, Prime Trading, which had stored a total of 47 tonnes of cardamom in phases over the previous two months.
The company presented sales receipts for 30 tonnes of cardamom during the period, but delivery of the goods had not been completed, according to the DNCRP. An examination of the receipts also revealed successive price increases, the agency said.
The directorate has instructed Prime Trading to appear at its office next Sunday with purchase records, vouchers and other relevant documents to explain the transactions. Further legal action will be considered after reviewing the company’s explanation and documents.
In a separate finding at the same warehouse, Arafat Trading was fined Tk 40,000 after officials found that the original sacks of its imported cumin did not carry manufacturing and expiry dates.
During the drive, traders were warned against creating artificial shortages, engaging in unjustified stockpiling or obstructing the normal supply of commodities. They were also instructed to display updated price lists prominently and ensure accurate weights and measurements.
The DNCRP said such monitoring drives would continue to maintain market discipline, ensure fair prices and protect the normal supply of essential commodities.
