In a meeting held in Lahore, the spokesman of CRCP apprised the participants about the submitted report. He told that the formation of consumer courts and councils was step. He said that CRCP is in active liaison with the Task Force for Price Control responsible for the drafting of the bill. In this regard, CRCP is effectively interacting with Mr. S.A. Hmaid and the concerned staff.

Some of the important suggestion s of CRCP to the proposed bill are the following:
1. The proposed bill does not give any reference to the services provided by the government. Therefore, the definition of consumers should be redefined to include those who consume various services apart from the customers.
2. The proposed Provincial Consumer council is consisted of three ministers and other members with no representation of consumers. Such composition of the Council would cause problems in convening maintaining the quorum of the council.
3. Since the proposed bill does not give adequate representation to the consumers, it is suggested that the Council should give adequate representation to the consumers.
4. in the proposed bull, the Consumers Courts are to be presided over by district Magistrates in order to keep these courts free from executive authority.
5. The penalties given for infringements on consumers rights in the proposed bull do not suggests any compensation or relief for psychology and mental torture.
6. Regarding the function of the Councils, it is suggested that it should set one or more research institutions for conducting research consumer related issues.
CRCP has a track record of struggle for the rights of the consumers. The spokesman added that CRCP has devised a comprehensive lobbying and advocacy campaign to ensure that these suggestion are incorporated in the legislation. For this purpose CRCP has launched the campaign and has started effective networking with the concerned quarters.

[Previous]

[Next]