3 restaurants, 2 pharmacies in Chattogram fined Tk76,000 for consumer rights violations

The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) today (9 July) fined five businesses, including three restaurants and two pharmacies, a total of Tk76,000 during a drive in the Kotwali area of Chattogram city for various irregularities related to hygiene, food safety, and pricing.

The operation, led by Fayez Ullah, Deputy Director of the DNCRP's Chattogram Divisional Office, with assistance from Assistant Directors Rana Debnath, Md. Anisur Rahman, and Mahmuda Akhter, was conducted in the Station Road area under Kotwali Police Station.

According to Assistant Director Md Anisur Rahman, Gulistan Hotel was fined Tk10,000 for using rotten eggs and preparing food in an unclean environment. Azadi Hotel and Biryani Restaurant was fined Tk50,000 after officials found cockroach infestations and an extremely unhygienic kitchen.

Goni Hotel was penalized Tk10,000 for using industrial salt in food preparation and failing to maintain proper cleanliness. Kader Pharmacy was fined Tk2,000 for selling expired medicine, while Shafi Inani Pharmacy faced a Tk 4,000 fine for tampering with price tags and selling medicines at inflated prices.

The DNCRP officials said all the businesses were warned against repeating such offenses. They emphasized that similar drives will continue in the future to ensure consumer rights and public safety. "These actions are being taken in the public interest, and we urge all business owners to maintain proper standards," said Deputy Director Fayez Ullah.