Md. Roni Ahmed Raju, Magura Correspondent:

The National Consumer Rights Protection Department, Magura District Office, conducted a drive in Langalbandh Bazar of Sreepur Upazila of Magura and fined two establishments a total of Tk 25,000.

The drive was conducted from 11:30 am to 2 pm on Tuesday (August 11). Various establishments selling daily necessities including pharmacies and grocery stores were monitored during the drive.

During the drive, various irregularities were observed at Messrs. Abdullah Pharmacy in Langalbandh Bazar. Although the trade license and drug license of the establishment expired a long time ago, they were not renewed. In addition, various medicines including expired insulin were found stored in the fridge and rack.

The owner of the establishment, Md. Mohim, was fined Tk 20,000 under sections 45 and 51 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009, for not having a pharmacist in the pharmacy and selling prohibited physician sample medicines.

Meanwhile, the manager of M/s Popular Pharmacy, Sajeeb Mondal, was fined Tk 5,000 under Section 51 of the same Act for the crime of storing expired insulin and other medicines in the fridge and rack and selling them.

Other establishments in the market were also monitored during the operation. During this time, traders were warned to conduct their business in compliance with the Consumer Rights Protection Act and refrain from such illegal activities in the future.

A total of two establishments were fined Tk 25,000 in the operation for various crimes against consumer rights.

The operation was conducted by Sajal Ahmed, Assistant Director of the National Consumer Rights Protection Department, Magura District Office. Md. Alamgir Hossain, Agricultural Marketing Office, Magura, and a team of Magura District Police provided overall support in the operation.

The concerned authorities said that such operations will continue in the public interest to protect the interests of consumers and maintain order in the market.