Consumer rights group launches campaign against inflated retail pricing in Dhubri

Guwahati: The Akhil Bharatiya Grahak Panchayat (ABGP) has initiated a district-wide campaign in Dhubri, Assam, to push for new legislation regarding cost-based pricing. The group aims to stop what it describes as the exploitation of shoppers through inflated Maximum Retail Price (MRP) labels. This movement follows a directive from the organization's central office and seeks to improve transparency across sectors including fuel, food, healthcare, and education.

Binoy Bhattacharjee, the leader of the Dhubri unit, is heading the initiative. The group argues that the current MRP system is frequently abused by corporations. They allege that companies set prices far above production costs to create an illusion of deep discounts while protecting excessive profit margins. To combat this, the ABGP wants laws that require manufacturers to list the specific costs of raw materials, production, and transportation on every product.

Beyond pricing transparency, the organization is demanding that retailers stop treating the MRP as a fixed, non-negotiable rate. They believe consumers should once again have the right to bargain at the point of sale. These issues are particularly acute in rural Dhubri, where limited competition and reliance on middlemen often lead to higher costs for agricultural inputs, pharmaceuticals, and essential groceries.

The campaign also focuses on safety and quality standards at retail outlets and petrol pumps. Volunteers are urging businesses to allow customers to perform mandatory checks, such as fuel density tests, as permitted under the Consumer Protection Act. The ABGP has called on the district administration and the Legal Metrology Department to step up surprise inspections to ensure businesses are following the law. Moving forward, the group plans to hold public forums and awareness drives to help residents report unfair trade practices.