E-commerce business must be sustained to build Smart Bangladesh, said AHM Safikuzzaman, director general of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection. Speaking as the chief guest at a discussion titled "Consumer Rights in E-Commerce and E-Service Sector: Our Action“, Safikuzzaman highlighted the pivotal role of E-Commerce in the national economic landscape. Bangladesh Mobile Phone Consumers Association organised the event at Nasrul Hamid Auditorium of Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday. Shoeb Chy made Chairman of FBCCI standing committee on press, media "Our next business is e-commerce business. „This business must be retained.“ He addressed concerns about customer funds held by e-commerce companies, stating, "To bring back the money of thousands of customers, the companies have to stay in business.“ He explained a measure called VVIT (Verified Vendor Identification and Transaction) aimed at preventing fraud in the sector. Under VVIT, every E-Commerce-Merchant must be registered and supervised by the E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (E-CAB). Safikuzzaman revealed that State Minister for Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology, Junaid Ahmed Palak, expressed support for these initiatives. "All traders from ECAB will be brought under VVIT, ensuring that registered companies can be tracked if they engage in fraudulent activities." BGMEA chief seeks collective efforts for community development Commenting on Consumer Complaint Management, Safikuzzaman outlined two Phases of Consumer Complaint Management (CCMA). The first Phase, applicable to all establishments except e-commerce, is set to roll out nationwide before the next Consumer Day. The second phase involves consumer complaints initially submitted to e-commerce companies. If unresolved, customers can approach the Consumer Rights Office, which will mediate and settle disputes. Addressing recent media coverage related to the managing director of Evaly, Safikuzzaman criticized what he referred to as "yellow journalism.“ He warned that such reporting could jeopardise the dream of a thriving e-commerce sector in the country. Islami Bank inaugurates 12 sub-branches Rassel, the managing director of Evaly, reassured, "Our affected customers will get their money back as soon as Evaly gets the business opportunity." Gazi Golam Tausif, Director of the Bangladesh Competition Commission, underscored the significance of the e-commerce sector in the government's goal to build a smart Bangladesh. The meeting, presided over by Bangladesh Mobile Consumer Association President Mohiuddin Ahmed and moderated by Advocate Abubakar Siddiqui, featured discussions with key industry stakeholders, including E-CAB Secretary General Abdul Waheed Tamal, E-Courier CEO Biplab Ghosh Rahul, and others.

E-ticketing platform Shohoz.com on Tuesday filed a writ petition with the High Court (HC) challenging the legality of the Tk 2 lakh fine by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) after receiving a complaint from Dhaka University student Mohiuddin Rony over irregularities in ticket sales. Lawyer Tanjib-ul Alam filed the writ petition on behalf of Shohoz.com. In the writ, Shohoz.com has appealed to the court to suspend the fine by the DNCRP and issue a rule declaring the fine illegal. Four including the commerce secretary and DNCRP have been made respondents to the rule. On July 20, DNCRP fined Shohoz.com, an online ticketing platform of the country, Tk 2 lakh after finding evidence of its mismanagement in selling tickets for Bangladesh Railways. Read: Rail mismanagement: Roni suspends movement The DNCRP organised a hearing after receiving a complaint from Mohiuddin Rony,  a 4th-year student of Dhaka University's Theatre and Performance Studies Department, over irregularities in ticket sales by Shohoz.com. On Monday, Shohoz claimed there was no negligence while providing service. In a statement, the company said service was provided to Mohiuddin Roni following the terms and conditions mentioned on the ticketing website of Bangladesh Railway (www.eticket.railway.gov.bd). Later on Monday night, Mohiuddin Roni suspended his movement against various irregularities of Bangladesh Railway and for meeting his six-point demand after a meeting with the high officials of Bangladesh Railway including the Railways secretary and Director General at Rail Bhaban.

When the nation is struggling to fight against coronavirus, some unscrupulous traders are trying to take advantage of the crisis situation by raising prices of various goods citing the supply chain disruption.