Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) Director General HM Safikuzzaman said if the e-commerce platform Evaly can do business, it will create an opportunity for their affected customers to get refunds.
He made the comments at an event on Sunday, held to pay back money owed to Evaly's customers by settling complaints at the DNCRP head office.
Evaly CEO Mohammad Russell and General Secretary of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan were present on the occasion.
The company on Saturday had stated that they have initiated the refund process for the customers who have lodged complaints with the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP).
Initially, 236 customers were expected to get refunded on Sunday at the DNCRP office in Dhaka in the presence of senior officials. The DNCRP had issued a show-cause notice to Evaly on January 1 and asked it to take measures to resolve the complaints filed by buyers.
Evaly’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mohammad Rassel was given seven days to respond to the notice, and took this initiative after the DNCRP served a notice to the company.
Safikuzzaman said, “Evaly must ensure transparency and accountability in doing business. The company will have business protection if they do business in compliance with government laws and regulations.
“However, if the law is violated in this case, the department will take legal action in the interest of the consumer. Evaly’s journey started again with Sunday’s events. Those who got refunded are lucky. Arrangements will be made to refund the remaining customers in phases.”
DNCRP Deputy Director (Complaints) Md Masum Arefin said, “Currently the directorate has about 7,000 complaints of consumers against Evaly pending. Out of this, 150 complaints have been resolved today [Sunday] and arrangements have been made to refund their dues.
“Steps will be taken to resolve the remaining complaints in phases.”
DNCRP Director (Operations and Laboratories) Fakir Muhammad Munawar Hossain said, “Efforts are underway to overcome the problems caused by the lack of specific policies in the e-commerce sector.
“Even though arrangements have been made to refund the dues of 150 complainants today [Sunday], there is nothing to be disappointed about those complainants who did not get their money yet. The department will continue their efforts to resolve all complaints in phases by communicating with Evaly.”
Evaly CEO Mohammad Russell said, “These 150 customers are being reimbursed from the profit that Evaly made by delivering 65,000 orders in the last one month excluding all expenses. If Evaly can do business, it will be able to refund the money owed to all customers in stages, but not all at once.
“I am optimistic that in the last week of this month, arrangements will be made to refund the money owed to more affected customers.”
