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Activists seek early enactment of consumers’ protection act
FE Report
10/30/2005
Speakers urged the authorities concerned Saturday to enact the consumers protection act soon.
Lack of accountability and transparency and ineffectiveness of the Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute (BSTI) and reluctance of the organisations concerned to take stern actions against hoarders and food adulterers have made the life of the consumers miserable, observed the speakers.
Addressing a discussion session former ambassador Waliur Rahman, director of Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs, said, " Bureaucratic procrastination in finalising the act and lack of proper mechanism in the BSTI for testing goods and commodities are mainly responsible for the regular harassment of consumers."
The discussion on " Consumers' right act protection and helpless consumer" was organised yesterday in the city by the Consumer Association of Bangladesh (CAB) with its president Jafrullah Chowdhury in the chair. Anwar Hossain, Dean of Business Faculty of American International University Bangladesh, concluded the seminar.
CAB general secretary Kazi Faurq delivered welcome address while CAB treasurer Khalilur Rahman presented keynote speech at the session.
Khalil said, "The immediate enactment of law and its subsequent implementation have become essential to protect the consumers from the onslaught of greedy traders."
Professor of Soil, Water and Environmental Science of Dhaka University Imamul Haque said, " Government's apathy toward the enactment of the law has given rise to confusions among consumers.
Sultan Ahmed, vice chairman of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) said application of law has become basically necessary to preserve the right of consumers in the backdrop of highhandedness of unscrupulous traders.
Monzur Ahmed, advisor and joint Convener of VAT and revenue affairs committee of FBCCI said, "The country should have price control mechanism like many other countries."
Borhan Ahmed, former president of CAB and executive editor of The Daily Janakantha, said, " Consumer protection act not only protects the interest of consumers but also ensures and promotes fair competition for honest businessmen."
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