The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) on Thursday said it would intensify its campaign against adulterated products in the market and step up pressure on the government to curb electricity theft, as the organisation presented a progress report on its 2025-26 annual work plan.

The report, covering September 2025 to August 2026, was unveiled at a press conference at CAB's central office in Segunbagicha.

CAB President AHM Shafiquzzaman, who attended as chief guest, said the organisation had made progress on the 16 priority areas it had pledged to the nation a year ago, with district and upazila committees becoming more active and work underway to reform CAB's constitution.

He said CAB does not have its own office and had written to the Housing and Public Works Department seeking one, adding that the organisation had received Tk 1 crore from the Ministry of Finance as part of efforts to build a fund.

"Consumer interest must get top priority. We do not want to associate with dishonest businessmen," Shafiquzzaman said, adding that CAB was working with development partners GAIN and ESDO as well as international organisations, and would take seriously any threats faced by those working at the field level.

On electricity, he said CAB had held hearings over excessive charges and demanded a halt to power theft, but the government was yet to take adequate steps, adding that CAB would keep up pressure on the authorities over the issue.

He said CAB had run issue-based campaigns nationwide, including a recent protest in Chattogram against a hike in transport fares, and was working to prevent child labour, noting that around 12 lakh children in Bangladesh are engaged in hazardous work and about 50 lakh in child labour overall.

Outlining future plans, Shafiquzzaman said CAB would expand its capacity on social media, organise consumers, and prioritise keeping adulterated goods out of the market through a stronger anti-adulteration drive.

He said CAB would also prepare area-wise price lists for products and relaunch its publication "Bhokta Kantho" in a new format.

CAB Executive Director Ahmed Ekramullah, presenting the progress report, said the organisation had strengthened its organisational structure by reforming 60 district committees and was working with the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and the National Consumer Rights Protection Department, among other bodies, to raise public awareness.

He said CAB was also engaging universities and young people, running health-related programmes in various districts, and had joined the Power in AI initiative, besides working on child labour prevention and holding consultations with stakeholders across the country's divisions.

CAB Secretary General Humayun Kabir Bhuiyan, who chaired the event, said the government involves CAB in various initiatives, including a court case over theft of luggage at the airport. "We are not enemies of businessmen; we work against dishonest ones.”