Updating the law with stricter provisions gets underway as the interim government moves to safeguard consumers amid inexorable inflation fueled by price spikes of many products, sources said.
The Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) has formed a high-profile committee to do the necessary spadework for reframing the consumer-protection law, they added.
The nine-member panel will prepare a draft act in tune with Bangladesh's constitution the bedrock of which proclaims equity in the first place.
Besides, the panel will also prepare necessary proposal for fixing legal position of the DNCRP in order to vest in the watchdog more prowess in combating market irregularities.
A senior official has said, "We have constituted a high-powered committee to make more effective the Consumer Rights
Protection Act 2009 as per the demand of present time. The committee has started working on the issue."
The act provides for both civil and criminal remedies. A consumer is entitled to lodge complaint with the consumer rights-protection department against any violation of the law, he also says.
The act was enacted in Bangladesh aiming to safeguard the rights of the consumers mainly from hazardous goods and services. It is considered most effective way to ensure the rights of the consumers.
The government promulgated the act with the objective of protecting the interests of consumers, prevention of anti-consumer-rights activities and settlement of disputes arising out of violation of consumer rights.
Under the guidance of the National Consumer Rights Protection Council, the directorate enforces the law at the field level. Moreover, in 64 districts are there 11-member District Consumer Rights Protection Committees chaired by respective Deputy Commissioner, 18-member Upazila Consumer Rights Protection Committee chaired by the Upazila Chairman and 20-member Union Consumer Rights Protection Committee chaired by the Chairman of the Union Parishad, according to the DNCRP document.
The Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009 is a comprehensive law meant for protecting consumer interests. In this act, there is a provision of maximum penalty of Tk 200,000 for acts against consumer interests.
Also is there a provision for confiscation of illegal goods or materials etc, as on paper of the document.
An expert says, "Even after the existing law, the consumer interests were not well protected in many respects previously. So, the government should be more careful about the betterment of the consumers."
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