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The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has fined 87 businesses a total of Tk 771,500 for various irregularities during nationwide market inspections targeting gas cylinders, edible oil and other essential commodities.
The inspections were conducted on Sunday across 31 districts, including Dhaka, by 46 monitoring teams, according to the directorate.
The drives focused on ensuring adequate supplies of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders and edible oil, enforcing government-fixed prices and preventing illegal stockpiling intended to create artificial shortages.
Inspectors checked whether businesses displayed updated price lists, sold products above regulated prices, manipulated weights and measurements, traded in expired goods and medicines, or manufactured and marketed counterfeit and adulterated products.
During the inspections, traders were instructed to display updated price lists prominently, sell goods at prescribed prices and maintain purchase and sales receipts.
Authorities also warned businesses against illegal hoarding, creating artificial shortages and charging consumers excessive prices.
Leaflets and other awareness materials were distributed to educate both consumers and traders.
Law enforcement agencies, health inspectors, the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and representatives of relevant business organisations assisted in the operations.
The directorate advised consumers against buying more products than necessary and urged them to check displayed prices, maximum retail prices, manufacturing dates and expiry dates before making purchases. Consumers were also advised to collect receipts for their transactions.
Consumers facing overpricing, fraud or other market irregularities have been asked to file complaints through the DNCRP hotline at 16121.
The directorate said nationwide monitoring and enforcement operations would continue to ensure normal supplies of essential commodities, maintain fair prices and protect consumer interests.