A mobile court has fined nine traders in Chittagong’s Mirsharai for keeping their stores open after 8pm, defying a government order that all businesses must close shop by that time.
On Tuesday, UNO Md Minhazur Rahman led raids through the upazila’s Baryahat Bazar, Chinki Astana and BSRM Gate areas between 8:30pm to 10pm.
The nine stores were fined Tk2,600 in total for flouting government rules. Each store was fined anywhere between Tk100 to Tk500.
Moreover, a few restaurants were warned against using decorative lights.
“For the first few days, we encouraged people to save electricity. We did not fine anyone,” said UNO Minhazur.
He added that they started fining people from Tuesday and if it continues they would be slapped with bigger fines.
On June 17, the government ordered shopkeepers and businessmen to close shops, shopping malls and markets by 8pm every day, to save electricity and energy, amid rising prices worldwide.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has directed to take necessary steps to save electricity and energy under Bangladesh Labor Act, 2006.
