Competition commission to sue e-commerce firms giving unusual offers

Bangladesh Competition Commission (BCC) would file cases against e-commerce firms if they announce irrational discount offers apparently to cheat the consumers.

BCC Chairman Md Mofizul Islam disclosed the plan while addressing a view-exchange meeting with the representatives of various e-commerce firms at the conference room of the commission in the city's New Eskaton area on Tuesday, reports BSS.

“Some e-commerce firms are doing businesses announcing abnormal discounts with an intention to cheat the consumers. Even they are doing business with the money of the consumers. Bangladesh Competition Commission will sue those e-commerce firms voluntarily in future if those are found guilty in their operations against fair competition," he said.

Director General of Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection Bablu Kumar Saha, Competition Commission members GM Salahuddin, Nasrin Begum, e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh general secretary Abdul Wahed Tomal and  Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) general secretary SM Rashidul Islam spoke, among others, on the occasion.

Mofizul informed that the commission filed a case against Evaly on August 12 last year when they announced up to 150 per cent cash back offer.

“The investigation to the case is nearing completion while the charge-sheet would be given very soon,” he added.

He said although the government does not do business, but it discharges the duty as a referee.

"The e-commerce has gained a lot of growth within a short time availing the business-friendly policy support of the government and the widespread demand among the consumers," Mofizul added.

The competition commission chairman, however, issued a strong note of warning that no anti-competition activity would be tolerated anymore for safeguarding the interest of the consumers.

Director General of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection Bablu Kumar Saha urged the consumers to give orders through online after knowing properly the business module of the e-commerce firms.

Recently allegations have been raised against some e-commerce firms for cheating with the consumers and Evaly CEO Mohammad Rassel and Chairman Shamima Nasrin have already been arrested.

Currently, some 1,500 e-commerce firms are running their businesses in the country.