June 30, 1999

Islamabad: Consumers rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) has submitted its observations and suggestion to the committee entrusted with task of drafting the proposed Consumer Protection Bill for Punjab, envisaging the establishment of consumer courts and councils in the province.
In a meeting held in its office, the spokesman of CRCP apprise the participants about the submitted report. He told that the formation of consumer courts and councils was a step in the right direction and would go a long way in the protection of consumer rights in the province. 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. Hamid and the concerned staff.
Some of the important suggestions or CRCP to the proposed bill are the following:
- 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 consumer various services apart from the customers.
- 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 and maintaining the quorum of the Council.
- 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.
- In the proposed bill, the Consumer Courts are to be presided over by District Magistrates, whereas CRCP suggests that these courts should be presided over by First Class Magistrates in order to keep these courts free from executive authority.
- The penalties given for infringements on consumer rights in the proposed bill do not suggest any compensation or relief for psychological and mental torture.
- Regarding the functions of the Councils, it is suggested that it should set up one or more research institutes for conducting research on consumer-related issues.
CRCP has a track record of struggle for the rights or the consumers. The spokesman added that CRCP has devised a comprehensive lobbying and legislation. For this purpose CRCP has launched the campaign and has started effective networking with the concerned quarters.