The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Regulatory Reforms Commission (RRC) Chairman Akbar Ali Khan yesterday called upon people across the country to stand united against profiteering to protect their consumer rights.

He called upon the government to promulgate Consumer Rights Act as soon as possible, but expressed his doubt whether the right will be established without people's movement.

The RRC chief was speaking at the national conference of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) at the BIAM Auditorium in the capital as chief guest.

People should launch movement to resist the "monster of profiteering," he said adding, "History shows nobody gives the others their rights."

"As no government has come forward to protect consumers' rights, year after year, the consumers will have to come forward to realise their own rights.

The mass movement has to be spread throughout the country. In the present reality, there is no alternative to it."

"However, it must be borne in mind that 'movement' does not mean agitation and ransacking. A united disciplined movement has to be build up," Akbar Ali stressed.

The RRC Chairman announced his solidarity with any such movement and said, "The government will have to give all assistance to such a movement."

The RRC chairman advised the government to create a separate market monitoring agency so that essential prices remain within the buying capacity of all people, as well as a separate agency for protecting consumers' rights.

"It is not possible to solve the spiralling price of consumer goods in the market using law enforcing agencies," Akbar Ali said.

In a capitalist business environment the businessmen's aim is to satisfy their greed, he said, adding that businessmen in the country tended to realise excessive profit from consumers in the name of a 'free market'. But when the greed exceeds the limit the consumers' suffering mount.

Akbar Ali also mentioned the adulteration of foods by small traders "due to lack of education" among them. "Both the buyers and seller have to be conscious about this."

USAID country director Denise A Rollins and CAB general secretary Qazi Faruque addressed the function chaired by CAB president Borhan Ahmed.

Borhan Ahmed said market could not be stabilised by giving free hand to the market manipulators. Law protecting the consumers' interest is essential as the government could not check price hike even with deployment of the paramilitary BDR and joint forces.

He also demanded a separate ministry to look after the interest of the consumers.