A new service to help consumers get exact weight of goods purchased in the kitchen markets will be launched at the end of this month, an official said.
The service, called 'Ojon Bondhu' (Friend for weighing), is an initiative of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection (DNCRP) to make people aware and take actions against fraudulence.
"We shall install digital weighing machines at the market entrances, where a consumer will get an opportunity to justify the weight of their purchased goods," Monjur Mohammad Shahriar, deputy director of DNCRP Dhaka Divisional office told the FE.
The service will help prevent cheating in weight, increase awareness about consumer rights and take actions against the fraudsters, he added.
Mr. Shahriar also said the service will primarily be available at 10 large kitchen markets like Karwan Bazar and New Market, and will be gradually expanded to other markets across the country.
In case of any doubt, consumers would be able to make sure with the help of the digital weighing scale whether they get the exact quantity of goods they paid for.
If cheated, they can challenge the traders instantly, said the official. The consumers will also be able to provide their feedback by dropping written comments in a box to be located next to the 'Ojon Bondhu' or the weighing scale.
The DNCRP officials are discussing with the committee members of the kitchen markets to decide next course of actions in this regard.
"At the initial stage, DNCRP representatives will cooperate with the market committees and later the committees will take over the responsibilities in this regard," said the official.
When contacted, President of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) Ghulam Rahman appreciated the step and underscored the need for its sustainability.
"This is going to be a useful initiative for the customers," he said, adding: "There is barely any buyer not being cheated in weight by the traders."
The buyers, in particular, are widely cheated in the weight of various kinds of meat and fishes they purchase from the markets, he said.
"Traders adopt so many unique techniques to deliver fewer quantities than that of what the consumers pay for," said Mr. Rahman, who had also been chairman of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
If the DNCRP takes punitive actions against the traders conducting such forgery, the tool may act as a deterrent, he said.
However, the CAB president laid emphasis on the sustainability of the initiative. "It's easy to start, but crucial to keep the service rolling and efficient," he added.
