DHAKA : North South University (NSU) hosts a seminar titled "Existing Challenges and Way Forward in Protecting Consumer Interests The event was organized by the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) in collaboration with the North South University Social Services Club at Audi-801, according to a press release.
The keynote speech was delivered by Mohammed Alim Akhter Khan, Director General (Grade-1) of the Directorate of National Consumers Right Protection (DNCRP). Among other distinguished guests were Abdul Jalil, Director (Joint Secretary) of the Administration and Finance Department, DNCRP; Professor Abdur Rob Khan, Treasurer and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (IC) of NSU; Dr. Khandker Md. Nahin Mamun, Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of Marketing and International Business at NSU; and Md. Lokman Hussain, Senior Lecturer from the Department of Law at NSU. The seminar was presided over by Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of North South University. Ms. Afroza Rahman, Deputy Director of the Training and Publicity Division of DNCRP, delivered a presentation highlighting key aspects of consumer rights and relevant legal frameworks. In his welcome address, Professor Abdur Rob Khan stated, “The right to choose, the right to consume products and services, and overall consumer rights are fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. Unfortunately, these rights often remain only in rhetoric.” Abdul Jalil emphasized, “Consumer rights are essentially citizen rights. Every individual must be aware of these rights. Our core objective is to ensure the right product reaches the consumer at the right price and the right time.” Dr. Khandker Md. Nahin Mamun advised students to remain vigilant from their positions, saying, “Although strict measures are taken against blue-collar crimes under existing laws, white-collar crimes such as bribery, fraud, and tax evasion are no less harmful to society and the economy. Therefore, we urgently need awareness and effective legal enforcement against these offenses as well.” Md. Lokman Hussain remarked, “The DNCRP directly protects the rights of citizens. Alongside protection, more public awareness must be raised about remedies and prevention. To ensure the effective implementation of consumer rights, we must further strengthen our existing legal framework.” In his address, Mohammed Alim Akhter Khan said, “The current consumer protection law dates back to 2009, and it needs to be updated to include emerging areas such as e-commerce and f-commerce. A proposal for updating the law has already been submitted. We are committed to establishing a truly consumer-friendly legal framework.” In his concluding remarks, Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury, Vice-Chancellor of NSU, stated, “We must elevate our public services to international standards. Citizens have various rights that the state must acknowledge and protect. Consumer rights are not just a matter of legal or economic policy; they are also a matter of human rights. Society must ensure the protection of every consumer’s rights. As citizens, we must uphold high ethical standards and moral values to achieve this goal.” The seminar concluded with an open discussion session, during which the speakers answered various questions from students and shared practical insights and experiences related to consumer rights and protection mechanisms.
