Govt won't tolerate violation of consumers’ rights: Faruk

FE Report

Commerce Minister Faruk Khan said the consumer protection law enacted within five months of formation of the government will be evaluated soon to identify any discrepancy that might hinder its enforcement to ensure consumers' rights.

"The government will not tolerate any violation of the consumers' rights," he said adding that political commitment is the core to ensure all kinds of rights of the people.

The commerce minister was addressing a discussion meeting on "Our Money -- Our Rights" as chief guest at CIRDAP auditorium on Monday. National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate and Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) organised it to observe the world consumer rights day.

Chaired by CAB President Kazi Faruque, the meeting was also addressed by Commerce secretary Mohammad Golam Hossain, chairman of Palli Karma Sohayak Parisad (PKSP) and president of Bangladesh Economic Association Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad and director general of Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) AK Fazlul Ahad, Editor of the Financial Express Moazzem Hossain and Director General (DG) of National Consumer Rights Protection Directorate Mohammad Abul Hossain Miah

Noted economist MM Akash presented the keynote paper.

The commerce minister said though some progress on the enforcement of the law has already been made during the last eight months, the government still faces challenges to make the consumer protection law fully effective.

"We hope that we would be able to prove our worth in fulfillment of commitment around this time next year after evaluating our performance this year," Faruk Khan said adding that the present government wanted to be accountable for its work.

The keynote speaker, MM Akash, said effectiveness of the national consumer rights protection directorate would now depend on the sincerity of the government and boldness, impartiality and commitment of the representatives there.

He called upon the government to build the image of the national consumer rights protection council by providing adequate manpower and budget.

Mr Akash proposed to adopt a regulated free market economy and establish alternative banking system in cooperative structure learning the lesson of global recession and said during the global recession only cooperative banking system survived and did not need subsidy.

The commerce secretary emphasised on creating awareness among the consumers of their rights by providing some basic information and said the government is trying to remove the market limitation through enacting a competition law soon.

He said the government would make the law effective by June.

Dr Kholiquzzaman laid importance on establishing rule of law in the society to protect interests of all types of consumers and said a concerted effort can ensure the rights of most vulnerable consumers who are poorest among poor.

Emphasising on establishment of en equitable society, he said the government has more tasks to do in the free market economy to protect the interests of the consumers.

Editor Moazzem Hossain stressed the need for enforcement of the consumer rights protection law 2009 and said there are weaknesses in the law which can be removed after necessary amendment. He also said improvement in the socio-economic condition of the people can help ensure the rights of the consumers.

Mr. Fazlul Ahad said the BSTI has been working within its limitation to ensure the consumers rights even after facing pressure from some quarters and added that it has realised fine worth Tk 38 million from different businesses for not providing mandatory information with the products and selling adulterated products.