The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) organised a human chain protest on Sunday in front of the National Press Club, condemning the obstruction of market monitoring and demanding strict measures against unscrupulous traders causing instability ahead of Ramadan.
Speakers at the event asserted that hindering market observation is a direct violation of consumer rights and poses a challenge to the rule of law.
CAB leaders highlighted a specific incident on 18 February in the Maulvibazar area, under Chawkbazar Police Station, during a raid by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.
The authorities discovered that one establishment had increased the price of chickpeas by Tk 5 per kg within just ten days, yet the traders failed to produce valid legal cash memos for their purchases to justify the hike.
Following the discovery of these irregularities, a fine of Tk5,000 was imposed under Section 45 of the Consumer Rights Protection Act, 2009.
However, it is alleged that a leader of the local business association publicly declared they would not pay the fine and threatened to shut down shops in protest. CAB speakers argued that such behaviour is not only illegal but also serves to discourage future market monitoring efforts.
The protest also raised concerns regarding the maximum retail price (MRP), which speakers described as a “mirage” used to confuse the public with high printed prices while failing to ensure fair market value.
They demanded that products display realistic market prices alongside the MRP.
CAB alleged the existence of a powerful market syndicate that maintains high domestic prices even when international rates decline.
They claimed these syndicates create artificial crises ahead of Ramadan to inflate costs, noting that dates previously sold for Tk700 are now priced at Tk1,400, while the prices of lemons and other essentials have also risen unnaturally.
Speakers noted that some unscrupulous traders aim to extract a full year’s profit in a single month and called for a “zero tolerance” policy against irrational price hikes, illegal transactions, and artificial shortages.
The human chain concluded by putting forward a five-point demand, which includes seeking exemplary punishment for those who obstruct market monitoring, ensuring active assistance from the administration and law enforcement agencies, and the effective application of the Consumer Rights Protection Act.
They demanded that legal cash memos be made mandatory for all product transactions and that market monitoring be strengthened and regularised.
CAB leaders warned that unless strict action is taken against offenders, such incidents will escalate, and the relevant authorities will be held responsible for the consequences.
