Work going on to amend Consumer Right Act

Authorities are working to amend the Consumers’ Right Protection Act, 2009, in a bid to double fines for most offenses under the law, said AHM Safikuzzaman, director general of Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection.

The scope of punishment under the law, however, will not be increased in the amended law, he said while addressing a seminar on the act at the National Press Club on Thursday in Dhaka. 

Farida Yasmin, president of National Press Club, presided over the seminar.

She said, “We are all consumers at the end of the day. We need to know our rights when buying products in the market. You need to know what is in the law.

“The consumer law needs to be amended and strengthened.”

Meanwhile, AHM Safikuzzaman said, “We are working on market regulation, but we have a manpower shortage. Still, 40 to 50 drives are being conducted across the country every day. But even 10 times more drives are not enough as the country’s market is so vast.”

Answering a question on growing cases of fraud in cosmetics business, he said traders in this business are reluctant to conduct trade legally.

Citing traders, he said a high amount of levies and other complications makes it difficult to make profits in legal cosmetics trade.

Speaking about the quality and prices of foods served at restaurants, the DNCRP DG said no restaurant serves standard safe food.

“They do not comply with any security standards. They have some problems,” he said.