Consumers still awaiting a law for protection
Syed Asharaful Hasan | Wednesday, 4 June 2008
THE activities of some unscrupulous elements, ranging from unlawful syndicated trading to adulteration of food-products, are causing growing concern to the consumers across the country. Consumers in Bangladesh, specially the non-affluent, who constitute the majority, have been passing time in distress, without remedy. Artificial price escalation, supply of sub-standard and spurious goods make them suffer in silence. Government overlooks these gross irregularities perpetrated by sellers against the consumers. And, always, its leaders take shelter under the excuse that proper laws for the protection of consumers do not exist.
If this is the case, then what has, actually, prevented one government after another from making the law? This is a burning question of the time in the minds of the helpless consumers in the country, with none to protect their interests.
But a draft law was drawn up way back in 1992. It travelled, to and fro, between different ministries before was approved in cabinet meetings of several governments since. And yet, it's a puzzle why it was not introduced in parliament for long 14 years? A former law adviser of the present caretaker government declared that an ordinance would be promulgated soon to make the law. But nothing in substance has yet happened. This foot-dragging is simply inexcusable. No denying, that making an important law like this can take time, as it has to go through strict scrutiny. But scrutiny can't go on endlessly. There has to be a reasonable time-frame for completing the process. It is neither sensible nor believable that the scrutiny couldn't be completed in 15 years to leave the consumers at the mercy of the wrong-doers.
It is only logical to infer from all these that vested interest groups are busy to obstruct the law. Whatever be the case, it becomes incumbent for the civil society and the numerous civic forums, particularly those who spare no time to speak for common people's interests, to be vocal for immediate adoption of the consumer protection law for enforcement. The present government is making so many laws through ordinances. Why can't it promulgate the consumer protection law through an ordinance without further delay?
The long overdue comprehensive protection law should be able to not only ensure the quality of goods and services but also provide remedies to consumers against wrong-doings by the sellers. It should enable the consumers to sue the producers, distributors and retail sellers of goods and services in courts to be set up for the purpose. To ensure the quality of goods sold in the market they must have the ingredients in proportion to the declared amounts. Proper packaging and labeling must be done. For violations, the producers and sellers should be required to be penalised. Heavy punishment would act as a deterrent.
Only the fear of penalties would motivate the producers and sellers to avoid wrong doing. Furthermore, the Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and other similar bodies should do their best to keep the consumers aware, organised and ready to bring to book the offenders once the law is made.
If this is the case, then what has, actually, prevented one government after another from making the law? This is a burning question of the time in the minds of the helpless consumers in the country, with none to protect their interests.
But a draft law was drawn up way back in 1992. It travelled, to and fro, between different ministries before was approved in cabinet meetings of several governments since. And yet, it's a puzzle why it was not introduced in parliament for long 14 years? A former law adviser of the present caretaker government declared that an ordinance would be promulgated soon to make the law. But nothing in substance has yet happened. This foot-dragging is simply inexcusable. No denying, that making an important law like this can take time, as it has to go through strict scrutiny. But scrutiny can't go on endlessly. There has to be a reasonable time-frame for completing the process. It is neither sensible nor believable that the scrutiny couldn't be completed in 15 years to leave the consumers at the mercy of the wrong-doers.
It is only logical to infer from all these that vested interest groups are busy to obstruct the law. Whatever be the case, it becomes incumbent for the civil society and the numerous civic forums, particularly those who spare no time to speak for common people's interests, to be vocal for immediate adoption of the consumer protection law for enforcement. The present government is making so many laws through ordinances. Why can't it promulgate the consumer protection law through an ordinance without further delay?
The long overdue comprehensive protection law should be able to not only ensure the quality of goods and services but also provide remedies to consumers against wrong-doings by the sellers. It should enable the consumers to sue the producers, distributors and retail sellers of goods and services in courts to be set up for the purpose. To ensure the quality of goods sold in the market they must have the ingredients in proportion to the declared amounts. Proper packaging and labeling must be done. For violations, the producers and sellers should be required to be penalised. Heavy punishment would act as a deterrent.
Only the fear of penalties would motivate the producers and sellers to avoid wrong doing. Furthermore, the Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) and other similar bodies should do their best to keep the consumers aware, organised and ready to bring to book the offenders once the law is made.