Consumer rights law in sight
This govt should at least set up mechanism for implementation
AFTER one decade and a half of deliberations marked by repeated drafting of a law to provide protection to consumer rights, often blatantly violated in a patently sellers' market, we have, at long last, the final draft approved by the council of advisers. Under the ordinance, not merely retailers would be penalised or imprisoned for shortchanging customers in price, quality, weight and measure but an aggrieved consumer could seek remedy against any unfair practice adopted by a producer, manufacturer or distributor of goods and services. Cheating consumers through false advertisement about product features and selling of adulterated foods will be liable for punishment.
There are three vital parameters of ensuring that the legislation ultimately serves the purposes for which it is being brought about. The first issue revolves around adequacy of the law itself; the second relates to institutional preparations or mechanisms needed to implement the law; and the third concern has to do with consumer awareness and sensitisation of the need to lodge complaints with designated authorities for redress.
As for the adequacy of the law, we are in total agreement with the view that we need a comprehensive competition policy as a complementary safeguard for the protection of consumer rights. The consumer protection ordinance cannot in isolation achieve its purpose, it has to have the underpinnings of a competition policy envisaging fair trade practices as obtaining overseas. We know all too well that the consumers ultimately fall prey to restrictive trade policies, monopolies, cartels and syndicated activities.
The institutional framework as provided in the ordinance includes a 21-member national council to oversee the new laws and their enforcement aided by 10-member committees in districts, upazilas and unions. A national consumer rights protection (CRP) directorate will be in charge of implementing the law. The consumers may approach the directorate with their grievances or file complaints with the committee, whereupon a first class magistrate will hold trial of the cases.
We appreciate government's efforts to bring about a consumer protection law. And echoing the views of the CAB we hope that this will be perfected in the light of experience. However, the government will have furthered the cause should it be able to put the basics of an institutional mechanism in place and initiate a campaign of awareness among the people about how to assert their rights. When democracy comes, the process will naturally receive a fresh impetus.
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