The Consumers Association of Bangladesh on Friday unveiled its annual plan, vowing to build a more consumer-friendly market system.
The plan includes both online and offline initiatives to raise consumer awareness.
The association made the announcement during a press conference titled 鈥楥AB鈥檚 Activity Briefing鈥� held at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital.
At the event, CAB president AHM Shafiquzzaman alleged that although the Bangladesh Bank had introduced low-interest loan schemes for farmers, only a very small number of them are benefiting from it.
He said that farmers were being forced to borrow money at high interest rates due to the influence of syndicates.
鈥楾his year, Tk 30,000 crore has been allocated as low-interest loans for farmers. But whether marginal farmers are actually receiving the benefit remains a big question. Large syndicates have emerged around this loan, forcing farmers to borrow at high interest,鈥� he said.
He asserted that CAB would work more actively in the coming days to break such syndicates and ensure fair benefits for farmers.
Clarifying CAB鈥檚 mandate, Shafiquzzaman said, 鈥業t is not CAB鈥檚 responsibility to enforce the law. CAB identifies irregularities and advises relevant authorities, makes policy recommendations, and when necessary, files writ petitions with the High Court in matters of public interest.鈥�
Authorities like the National Consumer Rights Protection, BSTI, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, district commissioners and UNOs exercise administrative powers. CAB only makes recommendations without using administrative authority and will continue to do so, he added.
CAB general secretary Advocate Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, treasurer Md Munjur-E-Khoda Torofdar, publicity secretary Md Musa Mia and executive committee member Shawkat Ali Khan were also present.
