Eorange, others yet to refund Tk 1.80b


FE REPORT | Published: February 12, 2023 08:24:49 | Updated: February 12, 2023 12:50:11


Eorange, others yet to refund Tk 1.80b

Crisis-ridden dotcoms, including Eorange and Sirajganj Shop, are yet to refund an estimated amount of Tk 1.80 billion.

The volume of clients' stuck-up funds with 27 such online shopping companies was a staggering Tk 5.25 billion, according to the central bank data.

Commerce ministry expressed hope that the remaining amount would be refunded to the customers concerned in the next couple of months.

Thirteen companies have returned more than Tk 3.45 billion of the total blocked money to 46,874 clients until February 07, according to the ministry.

More than a dozen troubled e-marketplaces are yet to start refunding their customers.

The sites include Sirajganj Shop, Needs, Twenty-four TKT, Eorange, Wikum, Akash Neel, Priya Shop, Aladdin's Lamp, Amar Bazaar, Astha Pratik, Home Shop.com, Safe and Infinity Marketing Limited.

The scam-hit Evaly has recently started to refund its customers partially. The ministry has made the move regarding the issue.

Nagad, bKash, Software Shop (SSL), ShurjoMukhi, Foster Corporation and United Commercial Bank are working as payment gateways and service-providing firms.

Commerce ministry started refunding the affected clients in January 2022.

A state security intelligence agency has suggested amending the circular concerned of the payment systems department of Bangladesh Bank, mentioning the date of delivery period of ordered products.

The suggestion has been forwarded to the central bank to take step in this regard.

The circular has not mentioned any specific time for delivering the ordered goods by e-commerce companies.

The intelligence report has cited smouldering fury as well as frustration among the victims.

The government authorities concerned have taken multiple steps in the wake of various scandals by dubious e-commerce platforms.

The government on February 06 introduced the Digital Business Identification (DBID) system to bring discipline in the crisis-ridden e-commerce sector.

The state-backed Registrar of the Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) issued the DBID.

Experts suggested that the government take prompt steps to restore client confidence for the sake of the resilient e-commerce sector in the country.

rezamumu@gmail.com

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