The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) Sunday fined 87 establishments a total of Tk 771,500 for various irregularities in a countrywide drive aimed at keeping gas cylinder and edible oil markets in order, ensuring normal supply and curbing overpricing and other violations of consumer rights.

A total of 46 monitoring teams of the directorate simultaneously conducted the drives at wholesale and retail markets in Dhaka metropolitan area and 31 districts.

The teams focused on the supply situation of gas cylinders and edible oil, adherence to government-fixed prices, and the tendency to create artificial shortages.

According to the directorate, the teams checked whether traders displayed updated price lists, charged more than the fixed prices, cheated on weights and measures, sold expired goods and medicines, or produced and marketed counterfeit and adulterated products.

During the drives, traders were instructed to display correct price lists in visible places, sell products at fixed prices and keep purchase and sale receipts.
They were also warned against illegal hoarding, creating artificial crises and overcharging consumers.

Leaflets and brochures were distributed to raise awareness among consumers and traders. Law enforcers, health inspectors, representatives of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and concerned trade bodies assisted the drives.

The directorate urged consumers not to buy more than they need so that normal demand and supply in the market can be maintained.

It also advised them to check price lists, maximum retail prices, and production and expiry dates before buying, and to collect receipts.

Consumers who face overcharging, fraud or any other irregularity while buying goods can lodge complaints with the directorate's hotline number 16121.

The directorate said regular monitoring and drives will continue across the country to ensure normal supply, fair prices and protection of consumer interests in the essential commodities market.