Consumer rights trifled with

The middle and lower income groups are the hardest-hit in this situation. But let's not forget that price hike is only one of the aspects affecting consumer rights. The other most important consumer right demands ensuring quality of products. There is no doubt that we are being shortchanged heavily, not only in the matter of quality, but also in weights and measures. Recent revelations, some too hard to believe, of adulteration in various food items have brought the issue of spurious commodities at the centre-stage of public concern. The government, after publication of those investigative stories, woke up and took some measures to combat the illegal practices running in the prepared food circuit. But these ad-hoc steps were like touching on the fringes.

The fact remains that there is no mechanism to automatically identify the establishments, factories, restaurants which supply inedible food by violating the safety standards. It's only after the newspapers report on the adulteration business that the authority shows some seasonal seriousness to tackle the issue. A few culprits get caught, but the problem remains. We have no hesitation in saying that the Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) has failed, to a large extent, in performing its duties for whatever reasons. Why just them, the DCC is also to blame. But it is the government which has the biggest share in the blemish: it continues to dilly-dally with the draft of the Consumers Protection Act. An effective law must be enacted soon with the provision of instant punishment, and if necessary by setting up a special court to deal with the consumer rights related complaints.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source