Chattogram trader fined Tk1 lakh for overcharging for medical equipment
Dilip Kumar, owner of Brothers Engineering Work, could not show any kind of invoice and business document
A businessman in Chattogram was fined Tk1 lakh for selling oxygen cylinders and other medical equipment at higher prices on Monday.
Dilip Kumar, owner of Brothers Engineering Work, could not show any kind of invoice and business document during a drive conducted by the Chattogram district administration.
An administrative team led by Executive Magistrate Md Umor Faruque issue the fine.
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"He [Dilip] has been selling cylinders and other equipment, including metres, and making big profits. He made a profit of Tk15,000 per cylinder and Tk3,000 per metre," said the executive magistrate.
Drives were conducted in different areas of the city, including Andarkilla, Sadarghat and Probortok Mor, against the artificial shortage of medical equipment, including oxygen cylinders, and unbridled price hike of products.
Faruque said some unscrupulous businessmen were creating an artificial shortage of much-needed oxygen cylinders and other medical equipment and overcharging customers.
"They are making huge profits taking advantage of the helplessness of the people amid the crisis created by the coronavirus outbreak in the country."
Meanwhile, the Chattogram unit of the Directorate of the National Consumer Rights Protection Authority fined seven institutions Tk70,000 for selling drugs at inflated prices on Monday.
