Only one officer of Directorate of National Consumer Rights protection (NCRDP) is trying to ensure citizen service of 46, 06,122 consumers both in Bogura and Joypurhat district simultaneously.

He is tired of protecting the rights of this vast community. The vast people of a total of 17 upazilas of both districts are being deprived of their desired services due to the crisis of manpower structure.

It is known that on April 6, 2009, the much awaited Consumer Rights Protection Act-2009 was enacted. Through this legislation, the field of crime prevention has been created by monitoring the market on a daily basis and consumers are getting the opportunity to file complaints if their rights are violated.

Besides, through this law, if the consumer complaints to the Directorate of Consumer Rights Protection against a general business establishment and can prove the complaint, a fine is imposed against the said establishment. And 25 percent of the fine is paid to the complainant.

Districts across the country including Bogura are running the work of Directorate of Consumer Protection with one officer and 1 employee. If there is any raid, the office should be locked when the officers and employees go there.

In some districts, the officer has been given the responsibility of one more district. It is not possible for 1 officer to supervise 2 districts at a time. As a result, the people are not getting the desired service.

Assistant director of NCRDP Iftekharul Alam Rizvi said that they are working to ensure people’s rights. But increasing the manpower will bring back the work dynamics.