Government to protect Consumer Rights

Government to protect Consumer Rights

October 2, 2000

Dhaka (UNB)- Flagrant violation of consumer rights prompted government move towards enacting new laws and monitoring their enforcement to protect public heath and export trade as well.

“The government is all set to introduce Consumer Rights Protection Act shortly,” Commerce Minister Abdul Jalil told a seminar here yesterday (Sunday) amid speakers’ concern about public health and life following massive adulteration of consumer items.

He said the act is expected to pass in parliament during the tenure of the government. The draft of the act has already been approved by the cabinet and was being scrutinised by the law commission to place in parliament.

Not only the act, the minister said, his ministry will also set up a cell to monitor the enforcement of the new laws as well as the existing laws.

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised the seminar on “Consumer Protection Laws” at its auditorium with its president Aftab-ul Islam in the chair.

To explain the necessity of consumer rights protection, Jalil said there should be justified relation between quality and price of the consumer goods.

“The consumers must be protected from eventual health and environmental injury of the consumer goods and fraud advertisement…the consumers must have blind confidence in market.”

The minister said blind confidence in market helps the market forces, demand-supply and producers-suppliers on one side and consumers on the other.

“One-sided support only for production on a global free market is condemned to be failure,” he said stressing the need for quality products to cope with the competition in world trade.

DCCI president Aftab-ul Islam said it was not enough to provide sound infrastructure, quick services and attractive incentives to the local and foreign investors, but the demand side to the market must also be dealt with proper professionalism.

He said the consumer-protection laws of the country were amended last in the beginning of the 80s, which implies the obsoleteness of the laws in the totally changed context prevailing at present.

“The laws also do not present the whole spectrum of the economy. Besides, the laws should have clear and stronger provision against it’s violation,” he told the meet.

Former DCCI president MH Rahman, directors, economists, trade leaders and researchers took part in discussion while Prof Anwar Hossain of the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) of Dhaka University presented the keynote.

Speakers wondered at the seminar about miracles that save the lives of the people.

They emphasised a greater social movement, besides modern laws, to build awareness among the people about protecting the rights as well as saving their lives.

In his keynote address Prof Anwar highlighted issues like existing consumer-oriented laws, market situation with reference to price index and inflation and to the quality of foodstuff.