Nepali gov't okays consumer court, guilty to face up to 14 yrs jail

Nepali government on Tuesday finally endorsed a plan to set up consumer courts in 14 zones, to make market inspections effective, promote hygienic food products and ensure legal action against the wrongdoers. Following hours-long discussions at the Office of Prime Minister and Council of Ministers (OPMCM), the bills committee of the cabinet endorsed a draft amendment to the existing Consumer Protection Act. The consumer courts will come into effect after parliament endorses the amended Consumer Protection Act. "The consumer courts will try cases involving all disputes and claims relating to consumption of goods and services," reads the provisions enshrined in the draft. Once the consumer courts are established, as per Clause 18 of the Consumer Protection Act, they can slap jail terms of up to 14 years and fines of up to 500,000 Nepali rupees (about 6,000 U.S. dollars) or both on those found guilty of producing, selling or supplying sub-standard, adulterated goods and commodities or services. OPMCM Secretary Trilochan Uprety told Wednesday's Republica daily that the courts will be similar to a tribunal and will comprise three members. A district court judge or someone eligible to be a district court judge will head the court while a gazetted second class officer who has five years experience in the consumer protection field and a consumer expert with 10 years experience in the same field will share the bench. The government two months ago aggressively inspected the market and seized tainted foods, sweets, dairy products, substandard medicines and sealed a number of factories, shops and cooking gas bottling plants. As per the draft provisions, those failing to produce price lists during inspections will be fined up to 5,000 rupees. On top of this, every company producing goods and suppliers delivering such products are required to formulate and issue a code of conduct concerning its business. The government will also set up a Consumer Information Center to receive complaints and take necessary measures to ensure a healthy market.