Poor regulation, lack of awareness impact implementation of consumer rights | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Thursday
June 12, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
THURSDAY, JUNE 12, 2025
Poor regulation, lack of awareness impact implementation of consumer rights

Bangladesh

Shawkat Ali
14 March, 2020, 05:05 pm
Last modified: 14 March, 2020, 05:10 pm

Related News

  • Bashir for proper enforcement of Consumer Rights Protection Act
  • Safe internet awareness campaign to be organised throughout October 
  • Adviser Fouzul calls for public awareness against destruction of national assets
  • Russell's Viper: Environment ministry issues directives on awareness and safety
  • Can boycotts show the path to corporate accountability?

Poor regulation, lack of awareness impact implementation of consumer rights

Bangladesh is celebrating Consumer Rights Day tomorrow while a manpower shortage is impeding market surveillance

Shawkat Ali
14 March, 2020, 05:05 pm
Last modified: 14 March, 2020, 05:10 pm

In Narsingdi, ninth-grader Reshmi ordered a dress online. She waited for her clothes to arrive after she paid for them via a mobile banking platform.   

However, she did not receive the dress from the e-commerce site. Instead, the online shop blocked her phone number because she had been asking for updates about the delivery.     

Upon receiving a written complaint from Reshmi, the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) appeared at the address the shop listed on its site. DNCRP officials returned empty-handed as there was no fashion outlet at the given address.      

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

While a number of e-commerce startups continue to gain popularity among customers, many online fraudsters are taking advantage of the online market and cheating customers. However, substandard restaurants and eateries are deceiving the people more than the blatant fraudulent activities of fake e-shops, said the DNCRP.

Upon receiving complaints – of food being made in unhygienic kitchens as well as food adulteration and overpricing – and during drives, the directorate has settled nearly 22,500 cases in Bangladesh in the last ten years.

During the period, the DNCRP resolved around 92,000 cases by issuing fines – even closing shops in some cases.  

"Good-quality restaurants maintain their standards properly while medium-category eateries maintain 70 to 80 percent [of hygiene standards]. However, back-end outlets have yet to build the service structure and, specifically, they are cheating customers," Anowar Hossain Mridha, vice president of the Hotel and Restaurant Owners Association.

Anowar said the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and the DNCRP help them improve the overall quality of the sector and there are positive changes too. "However, overall progress will require more time."   

Additionally, weight tampering, not displaying price charts, adulteration, and the sale of expired products are contributing to consumer rights violations. Amid this situation, Bangladesh is celebrating World Consumer Rights Day on March 15.      

Coronavirus has curtailed this year's celebration. The day focuses on issues like facilitating more options for consumers, safeguarding consumers' rights and the changes to consumers' lifestyles due to climate change.  

"We are trying our best to improve the quality of products and services – ensuring the rights of the customers. However, the consumers must be more aware of their rights at the same time," said Monjur Mohammad Shahriar, deputy director of the DNCRP.

"Traders and businessmen have just come to know about consumer rights. They will take time to adopt the mentality of complying with the law," Shahriar told The Business Standard. 

He believes that the Consumer Rights Protection Act-2009 has brought positive changes to the market scenario. As many as 30,295 complaints have been filed with the directorate by the consumers from the adaptation of the act till March.    

"If the consumers were more aware of their rights, the number could rise even higher," said DNCRP officials.

Preferring to remain anonymous, the officials also pointed out their severe manpower crisis. They said that only five officials are appointed to monitor markets in Dhaka — a city with nearly two crore people.

Those officials are simultaneously responsible for settling complaints filed with the directorate.      

Currently, each district has just one deputy director and an office assistant to look after consumers' interests – monitoring the market and settling complaints. The directorate recently placed a demand with the Ministry of Public Administration for 2,305 officials. However, the ministry approved nearly 200 staff.

"The issue of consumer rights still remains largely neglected in our country," said Ghulam Rahman, president of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh.

"The consumers must be more vocal for their rights. At the same time, it is not logical to become obsessed with awareness-building over enhancing the capacity of the regulatory body," he added.

Top News

Consumer Rights / poor regulation / awareness

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Saifuzzaman Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    UK crime agency now freezes assets of ex-land minister Saifuzzaman: AJ
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus speaks at the Chatham House in London on 11 June 2025. Photo: CA Press Wing
    No desire to be part of next elected govt: CA Yunus
  • File photo of BNP Standing Committee Member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury. Photo: Collected
    Khasru flies to London ahead of Yunus-Tarique meeting

MOST VIEWED

  • Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS
    Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon
  • A file photo of Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H Mansur. Photo: Collected
    'I have no relation with this': Ahsan Mansur debunks Joy’s allegations over daughter’s Dubai flat
  • Faiz Ahmad Tayeb. Photo: BSS
    Import duty on raw materials for e-bikes, lithium batteries reduced from 80% to 1% in some cases: Faiz Taiyeb
  • File photo of ex-prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy. Photo: Collected
    Joy spends Eid with Hasina in India: Indian media
  • Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
    Mercantile Bank withholds dividend amid Tk1,700cr provision shortfall
  • Shakil Ahmed. Photo: Collected
    DU student allegedly hangs himself following threats over old derogatory comment about Prophet on Facebook

Related News

  • Bashir for proper enforcement of Consumer Rights Protection Act
  • Safe internet awareness campaign to be organised throughout October 
  • Adviser Fouzul calls for public awareness against destruction of national assets
  • Russell's Viper: Environment ministry issues directives on awareness and safety
  • Can boycotts show the path to corporate accountability?

Features

Among pet birds in the country, lovebirds are the most common, and they are also the most numerous in the haat. Photo: Junayet Rashel

Where feathers meet fortune: How a small pigeon stall became Dhaka’s premiere bird market

12h | Panorama
Illustration: Duniya Jahan/ TBS

Forget Katy Perry, here’s Bangladesh’s Ruthba Yasmin shooting for the moon

1d | Features
File photo of Eid holidaymakers returning to the capital from their country homes/Rajib Dhar

Dhaka: The city we never want to return to, but always do

2d | Features
Photo collage shows political posters in Bagerhat. Photos: Jannatul Naym Pieal

From Sheikh Dynasty to sibling rivalry: Bagerhat signals a turning tide in local politics

4d | Bangladesh

More Videos from TBS

Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

Why is Omicron XBB more contagious?

9h | TBS Stories
What did Dr. Yunus say at the Chatham House Dialogue in London?

What did Dr. Yunus say at the Chatham House Dialogue in London?

10h | TBS Today
News of The Day, 11 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 11 JUNE 2025

11h | TBS News of the day
WB predicts worst decade for global growth since 60s

WB predicts worst decade for global growth since 60s

12h | TBS Stories
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net