Protecting consumer rights

Protection of consumer rights is more a misnomer than any exercise of substance in a country where it is a predominantly sellers' market. This holds true, even if the case of potato farmers who as growers and sellers have been receiving a raw deal right now. This again is borne out by the fact that market monitoring by any competent authority is next to nothing and the traders and businesspeople in the final analysis rule the roost. A section among them is even infamous for manipulating the market and causing distortions in order to reap outrageous benefits. In cohort with middlemen, traders control both the supply line and stocks to their own advantage. This explains why paddy and potato growers are forced to dispose of their produces at prices below their production cost or even at a throw-away price. Then the breach of common rules and unethical practices resorted to by traders still go unabated and although the law for food adulteration has been made stricter, its application is still limited to imposition of fine and occasional sealing of the factories or production units. Such attempts, by any means, cannot protect consumer rights.
What is intriguing is that the commerce minister is now in favour of bringing amendments to the Consumer Rights Protection Act 2009 and a six-member committee has already been formed to this effect. Amendments to laws are necessary when they prove inadequate or expose weaknesses in dealing with problems or crimes. But when the Act could not be put to the minimum test through its exercise, how can one be sure it is lagging behind time? In developed economies, consumers as citizens of a country (including traders who are also consumers) are sovereign. Their interests have to be upheld on account of health, environment and price ground. The question of cheating consumers does not arise. The consumers must be satisfied with what they purchase, the products or produces have to be safe for consumption and finally they must be left with the option of making their own choice on the basis of information about the products in question.
The important thing is to create a market regime where both the seller and the buyer can trust each other regarding the quality and price. Here the problem is that consumers are not aware of their rights and traders take full advantage of this situation. This cannot be changed overnight because a certain level of education combined with a better living standard and above everything else a kind of social movement will be required to bring about a change in the situation. Dismantling market monopoly cannot be achieved by force, it is attained through painstaking measures when people become conscious of their rights and privileges. Establishment of good governance and rule of law proves to be a pre-condition for setting in motion forces that ultimately create the right market culture and environment. Consumer and other rights groups can play a vital role here. Unfortunately, the Consumers' Association of Bangladesh, the lone such body, could not make much of an impact on this area. If the government is serious about protecting consumer rights, it must focus on implementation of laws rather than framing more of them.