Two businesses were fined Tk 10,000 in total during a consumer rights monitoring drive in Feni city on Thursday for selling unauthorised fake Indian basmati rice and charging customers more than displayed prices.
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection conducted the drive at different kitchen markets in the city to monitor prices of essential commodities.
Assistant Director of the Feni district office Md Asadul Islam led the drive in the afternoon.
“Messrs Abul Khayer Traders” was fined Tk 5,000 for selling rice at prices higher than those displayed on its price list.
Another Tk 5,000 fine was imposed on “Messrs Salam Store” for selling unauthorised and counterfeit Indian basmati rice.
Officials also inspected stocks, supply and purchase and sales receipts of essential commodities, including eggs, green chillies and vegetables, at different markets to help keep prices stable.
Assistant Director Asadul Islam said traders would not be allowed to engage in unfair practices in the essential commodities market.
The consumer rights authority will continue monitoring markets in the public interest and to help control commodity prices, he added.
A team of the district battalion Ansar provided security and assistance during the drive.
Awareness leaflets were also distributed among buyers and sellers at the markets.