Govt to set up modern consumer rights offices

The government has decided to set up modern, IT-based district level offices of the Consumer Rights Protection Directorate by the year-end.
“The consumers' rights services will reach district levels by the end of the year. The government has appointed some 101 officials in Consumers Right Protection Directorate in this regard,” said Commerce Minister Faruk Khan at a press meet with the leaders of the National Consumers' Association at its office in Dhaka yesterday.
He said the government is keen on strengthening the directorate and the district-level offices will provide services through modern equipment and technology. “All the offices will have laptop computers.”
On the existing Consumers Rights Protection Act, the minister said the government is thinking of making the law more effective.
“We formed a committee led by a joint secretary of the law ministry to revise the law and the committee has been asked to submit its opinions in the next meeting.”
About the soaring prices of essentials, the minister said considering the global aspects, the overall prices of essentials are quite stable in the country and would remain stable in future.
He said the mobile courts, led by his ministry, penalised some 230 traders and business organisations so far this year, and realised Tk 8.5 lakh on charges of violating the Consumers Rights Protection Act.
In response to a query, Khan said, as per the existing law, the mobile courts could not jail the traders for violating the rules and regulations, and the government considers revising the law to give power to the court.