Chattogram businesses keep cutting corners amid crackdowns, fines

Despite repeated crackdowns and hefty fines by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, dishonest business practices are still running rampant in Chattogram Division.

Over the past four and a half years, 14,054 businesses have been penalised, yet "traders continue to flout the rules and exploit consumers", according to officials.

Between the 2021-22 fiscal year and November 2025-26, authorities collected Tk15.78 crore in fines, with Tk14.90 crore going to the government treasury and Tk11.16 lakh handed directly to complainants under the law.

Alongside traditional market issues, digital platforms have emerged as a new avenue for fraud. Many online shopping complaints involve anonymous or fake Facebook pages and webshops, where customers receive substandard goods or nothing at all. Lack of verifiable information often hampers the department's ability to take swift legal action.

Gaps in enforcement and public awareness

At the heart of consumer rights enforcement in Bangladesh is the fight against food adulteration. 

Md Foyez Ullah, divisional deputy director of the directorate, told The Business Standard, "We give utmost attention to cases where adulteration is found and take a strict stance against those responsible. We are trying to keep these offences to a minimum."

He noted that adulteration is not always the work of organised syndicates. "It often reflects societal norms and individual mindsets. A chef at a wedding may use fake kewra water, rose water, or artificial colouring without realising the harm. The root cause is a lack of awareness and education among food preparers."

Highlighting the challenge of sustainability, he added, "Even those aware today may slip tomorrow. It's a deep-seated issue of mentality and habit."

Russel Uddin, divisional organiser of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh, told TBS, "Government initiatives are insufficient. Laws aren't properly enforced, and limited staff and a lack of awareness campaigns hinder monitoring. Temporary price drives are symbolic. Volunteers help, but lasting change needs strong pressure groups and a louder public voice."

Severe staff and logistical shortages

The directorate faces severe staff and logistical constraints. Nearly 10 million people across Chattogram district's 14 upazilas rely on just one assistant director and one office assistant for market oversight. 

The absence of consumer rights offices at the upazila level hampers monitoring, forcing residents from remote areas like Chandanaish or Satkania to travel to district towns to lodge complaints. Officials note that if such offices existed, government directives on essentials like gas cylinders could be enforced simultaneously across all upazilas, preventing traders elsewhere from exploiting gaps.

"Maintaining market stability with such limited staff is extremely difficult," said Md Anisur Rahman, assistant director of the directorate. "Officials endure extreme hardship in the field. Without official vehicles, we're forced to hire transport for inspections, which often delays urgent operations." 

Police support remains a major hurdle. Currently, the department relies on local police; however, jurisdictional limits prevent forces from one police station from conducting immediate operations in neighbouring areas. Securing additional force from the police line also takes time.

Someone who is aware today may lose that awareness tomorrow. Still, we continue our efforts. Legal enforcement and some fear have caused many establishments to refrain from offences."

Market oversight and penalties

Data from 2021-22 to November 2025-26 show 6,939 market inspections across 11 districts of Chattogram Division. Rising scams by unscrupulous traders have also made consumers more vigilant. During this period, 9,246 complaints were received, of which 8,565 were resolved. 

Under Section 76(4) of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, 25% of fines arising from proven complaints are paid to complainants immediately, encouraging people to assert their rights.

Alongside traditional market violations, online fraud has emerged as a growing challenge. Many complaints involve anonymous or fake Facebook pages and online shops, with customers receiving substandard goods or nothing at all. Investigations often fail to locate these businesses, delaying legal action or compensation.

Fines varied across districts. The divisional office collected TK5.27 crore from 2,670 establishments. District-level collections were: Chattogram Tk2.20 crore (1,206 establishments), Cumilla Tk1.57 crore (1,614), Chandpur Tk1.33 crore (2,103), Noakhali Tk1.19 crore (1,188), Cox's Bazar Tk91.81 lakh (1,469), Brahmanbaria Tk84.33 lakh (1,698), Feni Tk78.33 lakh (836), and Lakshmipur Tk57.84 lakh (775).

Hill tract districts recorded lower fines due to fewer businesses: Khagrachhari Tk18.71 lakh (295), Rangamati Tk11.64 lakh (152), and Bandarban Tk2.17 lakh (48).