Around 2,207 businesses from 75 different towns in 17 dzongkhags were inspected

Sherab Lhamo

The Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (CCAA) fined a wholesale business Nu 1,027,200 for adulterating premium quality rice with an inferior quality product.

This was found during inspections conducted by CCAA in collaboration with Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, Bhutan Standard Bureau and Regional Office of Industry, Commerce and Employment.

The team inspected 2,207 businesses from 75 different towns in 17 dzongkhags in the fiscal year 2023-2024.

CCAA also fined 176 grocery stores and restaurants for stocking and selling expired food products with the total fines amounting to Nu 205,756.

Out of the 129 complaints received by the CCAA, 114 were individual complaints. Thimphu had the highest with 89 complaints.

CCAA refunded around Nu 0.7 million to consumers and secured repairs or replacements for faulty products.

The official said that most of the refunds were made to consumers who had made advance payments for goods and services and the sellers had not delivered. A total of 46 consumers benefited from these refunds.

The Authority also halted the operation of a pyramid scheme known as PUTH Group and issued a public warning against participating in a similar scheme called ENVEER.

CCAA also contacted and monitored more than 50 registered e-commerce business owners. Out of the 79 e-commerce entities registered with the Department of Trade, only 56 were operational.

The official said that a majority of the monitored e-commerce businesses complied with the Trade and Industry Rules 2023.

The few entities that failed to meet certain standards were issued rectification letters and provided guidance to help them achieve compliance.

Consumer complaints decreased this year, with 148 complaints received. The highest number of complaints was recorded in 2022 with 360 complaints, and the lowest in 2019 with 39 complaints.