BSS) - The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) under the Ministry of Commerce conducted drives in ten districts of Khulna division on Tuesday and fined 20 business establishments a total of Tk 2.15 lakh for violating consumer protection laws.

During the drives, DNCRP teams inspected the prices and purchase vouchers of daily essentials including rice, edible oil, gas, medicines, diagnostic centers, potatoes, onions, vegetables, poultry and eggs.

"Traders were instructed to sell products at government-fixed prices," said Mohammad Selim, Deputy Director of the DNCRP Khulna Divisional Office.

In Khulna city, a team led by Deputy Director Selim fined Satkhira Ghosh Dairy Tk 10,000 for improper labeling.

Another team, led by Assistant Director Pranab Kumar Pramanik, fined Jashore Shan Ghar Tk 2,000 and Card Center Tk 3,000 for similar offenses.

Under the leadership of Assistant Director Walid Bin Habib, Dulabhai Hotel was fined Tk 10,000 and Mahfuz Hotel Tk 2,000 for illegally producing food.

In Magura, Assistant Director Md Sajal Ahmed fined Bismillah Traders Tk 20,000, Jafar Store Tk 1,000 and Raj Traders Tk 10,000 for selling adulterated goods.

In Satkhira, Assistant Director Md Mehedi Hasan Tanvir fined Bhai Bhai Store Tk 8,000 for storing and selling expired products.

In Kushtia, Assistant Director Md Masum Ali fined five fish traders - Patu Fish Shop Tk 2,000, Raju Fish Shop Tk 2,000, Monowar Fish Shop Tk 2,000, Mukul Fish Depot Tk 50,000 and Khorshed Hossain Fish Depot Tk 50,000 - for selling adulterated fish.

In Jashore, Assistant Director Md Selimuzzaman fined Elias Store Tk 2,000 for not displaying a price list.

In Jhenaidah, Assistant Director Nishat Meher fined Habib Traders Tk 3,000 for improper packaging.

In Chuadanga, Assistant Director Mohammad Mamunul Hasan fined Bengal Gas Tk 30,000 for improper supply and Mithu Store Tk 2,000 for packaging violations.

In Bagerhat, Assistant Director Sharifa Sultana fined Saurav Pharmacy Tk 5,000 and Janoni Pharmacy Tk 1,000 for selling expired medicines.

Deputy Director Selim told BSS that traders were warned to strictly follow government-fixed prices and display visible price lists.

"Strict legal action will be taken against anyone charging higher than the fixed prices," he said, added.