Staff correspondent 

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashiruddin on Wednesday said that consumer rights were significantly undermined during the last 15 years and now is the time to awaken the consumers under the consumers' rights platform so that no one can be spared from food adulteration or creating health issues and undermining the consumers' rights.

He made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a discussion meeting titled "Strengthening Consumer Rights" held at the TCB auditorium, at Karwan Bazar.

The adviser mentioned that syndicates, formed during what he termed the "fascist era," destroyed the country's businesses and markets.

He urged everyone to be vocal against these syndicates and to abandon the culture of unjustly weakening institutions.

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He said, “Several recommendations emerged from today's discussion for reforms.” Bashiruddin affirmed the government's commitment to reforming laws and taking all necessary steps to protect consumer rights.

The adviser emphasised that by strengthening institutions and enhancing their capabilities, wrongdoers would be forced to retreat.

"We are bringing diversity to the market, which has made our work easier," the adviser said.

"This market monitoring effort has brought a sense of relief. We must restore our purchasing power. In this regard, the central bank is working to reduce inflation, and the Ministry of Commerce has taken measures to introduce diversity. We want to bring even more diversity," he added.

He also urged everyone to work together to ensure consumer rights, even if it required changes to the country's trade policy.

Bashiruddin also highlighted recent initiatives, saying that salt was distributed to mosques and madrasas during Eid, which was a completely new decision. Furthermore, measures were taken to prevent passenger harassment during Eid journeys.

He concluded by reiterating the collective commitment to ensuring consumers' right to obtain goods at fair and correct prices, aiming for overall consumer satisfaction.

The discussion, presided over by CAB (Consumers Association of Bangladesh) Acting President Jamil Chowdhury. Secretary of Ministry of Commerce Mahbubur Rahman and Director General (DG) of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) Mohammad Alim Akther Khan, SM Ferdaus Alam, DG of BSTI, were present in the program as the special guests.

The DG DNCRP urged to play an active of the CAB’s metropolitan and district committees to create awareness against any kind of food and other product adulteration, which undermines the country’s moral image.

The CAB’s divisional and district committee members were also present at the event.