As many as 113 organizations from all over Bangladesh have been fined on Saturday for overcharging onions as prices for the commodity have doubled overnight.
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection launched a drive to reduce volatility in the onion market, according to media reports.
On Saturday's drive, the officials fined 133 organizations Tk6.66 lakh for irregularities.
The price of onions has increased by Tk200 overnight, said Director General of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection AHM Shafiquzzaman.
“We plan to go to the markets and see at what price the onions are being bought. Such significant price hikes within a single day are not permissible. An investigation will be conducted to determine if onions were purchased at lower prices previously. Strict action will be taken if any irregularity is found,” he added.
The prices of onions have nearly doubled in Dhaka, Dinajpur, Khulna and other parts of Bangladesh shortly after India banned its export till March 31 next year.
The ban was effective on Friday afternoon and the market scenario changed within 12 hours.