DoCS drafting policy to safeguard consumer rights, interests

KATHMANDU:

The Department of Commerce and Supplies (DoCS) has started work to draft a Consumer Protection Policy which envisions establishing consumer courts at district level, consumer protection and supply department and consumer protection fund, among others.

DoCS said the policy aims at safeguarding consumer rig-hts amid supply of substandard goods, syndicate and lack of special court dealing with consumer related affairs.

A committee led by DoCS Deputy Director General Binod Prakash Singh will sumbit the draft to the Ministry of Commerce and Supplies shortly.

The consumer court will be established in every district which will pass verdicts thro-ugh short working guideline, states the draft. The policy has also envisioned a separate act to open such courts. DoCS will initially handle the task of consumer protection department before the formation of a new body. The proposed policy also envisions forming market investigation centres.

The Consumers’ Protection Fund would be used to compensate consumers who suffer from sellers, distributors and manufacturers engaged in malpractices. “Such fund will be created with resources collected by the government in penalties and settlement of other liabilities from sellers, manufacturers and importers engaging in the malpractice.”

DoCS Director Hari Narayan Belbase said the fund was being planned to compensate consumers and carry out activities on consumer rights protection. He said they have also planned to introduce a separate act for operating the fund.

 The proposed policy has envisioned forming a consumers’ protection council under a minister. The Council will suggest on devising policies related to consumers’ issues, in coordination with government agencies and other stakeholders.

The proposed policy also states a provision will be made wherein service and goods sellers will be liable to compensate consumers affected by malpractices.

It has also envisioned fixing the maximum retail price (MRP) of essential goods and services based on cost of production, transportation, taxes and profit margins.

That will enhance the existing provisions on publishing details about producer and ingredients, among others.

Source: The Kathmandu Post