e_Paper, Monday, August 7, 2017

24
MONDAY, AUGUST 7, 2017
DT
Back Page
PWD PROPS UP CRACKED HOSPITAL
CEILING WITH BAMBOO › 6
Restaurant fined
for cheating
customer with
overpriced
bottled water
BOLT STUNNED BY GATLIN
IN 100M FAREWELL › 18
PORIMONI TO STAR
IN A CHINESE FILM › 23
• Afrose Jahan Chaity
CONSUMERS’ RIGHTS
People frequently overlook when
they are charged extra for products,
or provided with low quality
goods or services at markets, fearing
the hassle and embarrassment
that comes with a confrontation, or
simply because they are ignorant
of their rights as consumers.
Fear no more, because now
there is an effective solution.
If you are charged extra for a
product, deceived by a seller or a
service provider in any form – be
it lower quality/adulterated products/prohibited
products in food,
food or medicine past their expiry
date – you can complain to the
National Consumers Rights Protection
authority.
Ambarin Zaman Khan, intern at
the National Credit & Commerce
Back Ltd, was at a reputed restaurant.
When she ordered a 500 ml
bottle of water with her food, she
found that she had been charge Tk5
extra for the bottle.
When Ambarin asked why she
had been charged extra, she received
a dismissive reply from the
management. She told the Dhaka
Tribune: “I felt bad and I left that
restaurant with a copy of the bill
and filed a complaint against them
at the Directorate of National Consumers
Rights Protection (DNCRP).
Ten days later, I received a reply
from the authorities asking me to
come to a hearing.”
She went to the directorate
where both parties gave statements
on July 31.
The restaurant owner was fined
Tk50,000 at first. “He asked me to
withdraw my complaint, but I did
not. Later, on his request, the matter
was reconsidered and the fine
was changed to Tk5,000,” she said.
Ambarin Zaman Khan, the
plaintiff received Tk1,250, which is
25% of the compensation, as stipulated
by the Consumers’ Right Protection
Act 2009, on July 31.
According to the Consumers’
Right Protection Act 2009, in
Section 40, if any person sells or
offers to sell any goods, medicine
or service at a price higher than
the price set under any Act or
law, they shall be punished with
imprisonment for a term not
exceeding one year, or with fines
not exceeding Tk50,000, or with
both.
Director General of the Directorate
of National Consumers Rights
Protection, Md Shafiqul Islam
Laskar told the Dhaka Tribune:
“We receive around 30-40 complaints
every day. People are now
more aware about their consumer
rights and we are willing to receive
complaints from them.”
According to DNCRP, in 2015 the
complaint wing received 225 complaints,
in 2016 they received 1622
complaints, and in 2017 they received
more than 6,000 complaints
till today.
Md Shafiqul Islam Laskar said:
“We receive about 1,000 complaints
in a month, which is a positive
sign, and the number of complaints
is increasing each day as
people are becoming more aware
of their consumer rights and about
the complaint centre now.”
How to file a complaint
A complaint form has been uploaded
to the website of the DN-
CRP. If anyone wants to complain,
they will need to have a copy of the
bill and other related documents,
such as photographs of the actual
price of the good which was purchased
by the consumer.
The form is available at this link
Consumers can also make phone
calls to the National Consumers
Complaint Centre by dialing
8801777-753668, or email them at
nccc@dncrp.gov.bd. •
When the main roads are packed with traffic, motorcycle riders in Dhaka take the liberty to take up the space on the footpaths
too. The photo was taken at Monipuri Para in Farmgate area yesterday
SYED ZAKIR HOSSAIN
Nasa’s response to a 9-year-old
will motivate you to work harder
Nine-year-old Jack Davis’ letter to
Nasa applying for the position of
Planetary Protection Officer, left,
and Nasa’s response to the letter
asking him to study hard so he could
join the space organisation one day
COLLECTED
• Tribune Desk
FEATURE
When most elders struggle to frame job
applications, a self-described “Guardian
of the Galaxy” decided to apply for
his dream job.
Nasa lately announced a job opening
for a “Planetary Protection Officer,”
a role established in 1967. The job is
to prevent alien contamination during
Nasa space missions and any alien microorganisms
from reaching Earth. It
pays around $124,406-$187,000 per
year plus benefits.
Nine-year-old Jack Davis reached
out to them, and he had his reasons.
In the letter, he introduces himself
as the guardian of the galaxy. The
fourth-grader wrote: “I maybe nine but
I think I would be fit for the job.” He bolsters
in the fact that he had watched
all space and alien movies he could.
But the most convincing reason is the
fact that he is young, so he can learn to
think like an alien.
Jack’s case was prompting enough
for Dr James L Green, director of Nasa’s
Planetary Service Division, to not let him
down. Green wrote back to Jack, appreciating
his interest. His letter said: “I hear
you are a ‘Guardian of the Galaxy’ and that
you’re interested in being a NASA Planetary
Protection Officer. That’s great!”
Green went on to explaining what
the job was about and why it was important.
He encouraged Davis to study
hard, and expressed his hope to see
him at Nasa one day.
Nasa’s encouragement didn’t stop
there. Jonathan Rall, Nasa’s planetary
research director, personally congratulated
Jack on his interest in the position.
The surprise pleasant exchange received
huge attention on social media.
In a press release, Nasa also explained
that the Planetary Protection
Officer position may not have its literal
meaning, but it promotes the responsible
exploration of the solar system by
preventing microbial contamination of
other planets and our own.
Nasa continues to inspire dreams
in young minds. If you are an aspirant,
Nasa might be rooting for you too. •
Editor: Zafar Sobhan, Published and Printed by Kazi Anis Ahmed on behalf of 2A Media Limited at Dainik Shakaler Khabar Publications Limited, 153/7, Tejgaon Industrial Area, Dhaka-1208. Editorial, News & Commercial Office: FR Tower,
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