The New Nation - Internet Edition

IT was reported only days ago that the eagerly awaited comprehensive consumer protection Act would be introduced very soon. When this would be done, it would be likely cited as another great accomplishment of the present caretaker administration. But this would be really so, if only the proposed law is truly enforced in line with the very reasonable expectations of enlightened sections of consumers in the country. As it is, there are now considerable apprehensions centering on it.

Misgivings have been expressed by the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB). First of all, CAB people told the media last week that what is being discussed as enforcement of the Act, is not true. The Act in draft form is now ready for submission to the council of advisers after shuttling between different ministries where it was substantially amended and this amended version is likely to be considered and adopted now by the council of advisers. But, according to CAB, such adoption of a draft was noted several times in the past also in the previous council of ministers after which it went through long stalling processes and was never even introduced in Parliament to be acted upon and approved as law.

Thus, the draft law this time will have to go beyond just endorsement by the present council of advisers. It will become law if the endorsement is followed by a Presidential promulgation for enforcement. Besides, more significantly, as CAB disclosed to the media, the draft bill to be approved by the advisers marks no departure from the previous draft that was addressed and protested at that time for not adequately addressing major issues of consumers interests. The present draft has no really effective provisions for consumers to take legal actions against offences committed by producers, distributors and sellers of goods and services. It does not provide for a mechanism for the consumers to seek remedies legally for harms done to them or doing things against their vital interests. Penalties to be paid by offending businesses have been hardly stated unambiguously. This would leave the producers and sellers of goods and services with enough leeway to avoid suffering appropriate penalties for deceiving and harming the consumers.

Thus, it is only fair to expect that this government would start paying serious attention to the criticisms that the Act on the anvil has generated. There is yet time to further improve and strengthen it. Its submission to the Council of Advisers can be delayed for a while and the meritorious criticisms and suggestions considered for accommodation. The same should then be included in the draft to turn it into a really useful instrument of consumer protection before the attempt is finally made to introduce and enforce it as law.