Integrated efforts vital to protect consumers’ rights

BSS, Rajshahi :
Integrated efforts of all the government and non-government organizations concerned can be the crucial means of protecting consumers rights.
Simultaneously, enforcement of the Consumers Rights Protection Law has become an urgent need for ensuring safe food and protecting public health from various non-communicable diseases.
 Many people are being infected by deadly diseases like cancer, liver cirrhosis, hepatitis and cardiac and kidney ailments through consumption of adulterated foods, so there is no way but to resist producing, possessing and selling contaminated foods.
The observation came at a discussion held at the Conference Hall of the Divisional Commissioner Office here Wednesday.
The District Administration and the Department of National Consumers Rights Protection (DNCRP) jointly organised the discussion in observance of the World Consumer Rights Protection Day.
The theme of the day this year is “Empowering Consumers Through Clean Energy Transitions.” All consumers must have the power and knowledge to protest against market abuses and social injustices that try to undermine those rights in any way.
Commissioner of Rajshahi Division GSM Zafarullah addressed the discussion as chief guest, while Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Samsun Nahar and Additional Divisional Commissioner ANM Moinul Islam spoke as special guests with Deputy Commissioner Abdul Jalil in the chair.
 Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police Saiful Islam, Additional Superintendent of Police Abu Saleh Ashraful Alam and President of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries Masudur Rahman also spoke.
The discussants viewed that the issue of the consumers’ rights is well accepted throughout the world and in the free market economy. So, awareness should be created among the businessmen and other concerns.
Sr. Staff Reporter from Kishoreganj says: The World Consumer Rights Day was observed in the country as elsewhere in the world with the theme ‘Empowering consumers through clean energy transitions.
In Kishoreganj, District Administration, DNCRP and CAB jointly arranged a colour full rally, discussion, handbills distribution and awareness campaign, marking the World Consumer Rights Day on Wednesday.
A discussion meeting at Collectorate Conference room on Wednesday. Deputy Commissioner (DC) in Kishoreganj Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad attended as chief guest while ADC(General & DS) Md.Golam Mistafa presided over.
It was addressed among others by CAB district president Alam SarowarTito, Former Health Director dr. Deen Mohammad, DCS dr. Tarek Imran, DSB Officer & DIO Mamunur Rashid, District Press Club president Mostafa Kamal, CAB district executive president advocate Maya Bhowmick its general secretary Monowar Hossein Rony, Senior Journalists Saiful Haque Mollah Dulu, Mihila Awami League district secretary Bilkis Begum, Women leader Shaheena sultana Eati and DNCRP Assistant Director ( AD) Rehdoy Ronjon Bonik.
DC Abul Kalam Azad said that, to ensure energy security for national prosperity, protection of consumer rights and sustainable development, the dependence on fossil fuels should be reduced and the use of renewable energy should be increased.
 Noting that consumers’ right is universal, the government formulated the Consumers Rights Protection Act -2009 to ensure consumers ‘rights, DC Azad added.
CAB district president Alam Sarowar Tito said , the DNCRP including CAB takes effective steps in the prevention of adulteration, and hoarding and monitoring the overall supervision of the market system alongside ensuring marketing and market management of safe fuel required for consumers.
ADC & DS Golam Mostafa said that there is no alternative to the concerted efforts of the people, public representatives, businessmen and public servants for the proper implementation of the law.
 AD in DNCRP Rehdoy Ronjon Bonik says, Administration, DNCRP, its supported by CAB is very attentive to protecting consumers’ rights to ensure the civic rights of the people of Bangladesh keeping consistent with the developed Countries.
Later, a colour full was brought out in the town on Wednesday morning marking the world consumers rights day led by ADC (General & DS) Golam Mostafa, CAB president Alam Sarowar Tito.
 BSS from Natore adds: The World Consumer Rights Day was observed in the district as elsewhere in the globe Wednesday with a call to protect the consumers’ rights.
This year’s theme of the day is ”Empowering consumers through clean energy transitions (Nirapod Jalani, Vokta-bandhob Prithibi)’.
Marking the day, the district administration and Directorate of National Consumers Rights Protection jointly chalked out the various programmes.
On the occasion, a rally was brought out from premise of the collectorate building office in the morning that ended at the deputy commissioner’s office after parading different streets of the district town.
Later, a discussion was held on the ‘World Consumer Rights Day’ at the conference room of the deputy commissioner’s office this morning.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shamim Ahmed addressed the function as the chief guest with additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md. Nadeem Sarwar in the chair.
The chief guest said, “We are working to create awareness among the traders considering the interests of the consumers.”
He also warned that the government will show zero tolerance against food adulteration during the upcoming holy month of Ramadan. Legal action will be taken by the mobile court, administration and law enforcement agencies if the consumer’s interests are violated.
Deputy Director of Agricultural Extension Department Md. Abdul Wadud, District Livestock Officer Dr. Golam Mostafa, Agricultural Marketing Officer Mamata Haque, and Natore Press Club President Faraji Ahmad Rafique Babon, among others spoke.
A large number of government officials, social workers, NGO activists and journalists attended the programme.