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Debate No. 33 of 11.11.08
WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS – PRICE - DECREASE | | Question | (No. B/1249) Mr M. Allet (Third Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked the Minister of Consumer Protection & Citizens Charter whether, in regard to the decrease in the price of petroleum products, he will state the measures he proposes to take to ensure that such decrease is reflected in the price of other commodities. | | Reply | Following the decrease in the price of petroleum products, my Ministry has implemented appropriate proactive measures to ensure that the decrease is ultimately passed on to consumers.
The House is already aware that the price of only 18 essential items is controlled by my Ministry. Among that list, the only item where there is a correlation with the price of petroleum products is bread. Given that the price of that commodity is fixed, an exercise will be undertaken to ascertain whether the percentage decrease in the price of petroleum products would have a significant incidence on the price of bread. As regards the price of non-controlled items, a price monitoring mechanism has been set up to undertake an in-depth survey of the prices and to analyse any fluctuation on the local market. Regular checks and inspections are being carried out by officers of the Consumer Protection Unit to that effect.
Furthermore, given that prices are determined by market forces, I have sought the collaboration of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry to press on its members to practice a fair and reasonable mark-up on all goods which should reflect the real market price.
I have also appealed to them to publicise any reduction in prices, in the best interest of consumers. In that breadth, I have taken note that some importers have already advertised the reduction in price, which is indeed a positive signal.
Officers of my Ministry are presently undertaking site visits to collect relevant data on different commodities and, in the event of abusive mark-ups, all legal and administrative avenues would be explored to curb those abuses. | | | DebateNo. 37 of 09.12.2008
WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS
CONSUMER PROTECTION UNIT - VACANCIES | | Question | (No. B/1431) Mr R. Bhagwan (First Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked the Minister for Consumer Protection and Citizens Charter whether, in regard to the posts of Head of the Consumer Protection Unit and Consumer Protection Officers, he will state if there is any vacancy and, if so, indicate –
(a) since when;
(b) the number thereof, and
(c) the measures taken to have them filled, indicating if the Unions
have been informed accordingly. | | Reply: | There are presently vacancies on the Establishment of the Consumer Protection Unit for one post of Head, Consumer Protection Unit and 14 posts of Consumer Protection Officer.
The post of Head, Consumer Protection Unit is vacant since 08 September 2003, whereas the 14 posts of Consumer Protection Officer have become vacant at different dates due to the retirement of some officers from the grade or for other reasons.
Financial provisions have been voted in the 2008-2009 Budget to fill six out of the fourteen vacancies in the grade of Consumer Protection Officer. As regards the post of Head, Consumer Protection Unit, provisions have been made in the budget approved for the Ministry of Consumer Protection and Citizens Charter in November 2008, following its setting up in September.
As soon as the Ministry was created, action has been initiated to expedite matters regarding the filling of the vacant posts of Consumer Protection Officer in respect of which financial provisions have been voted. In this context, amendments are being brought to the existing scheme of service of Consumer Protection Officer, following recommendations of the PRB Report. Consultations have been held with the staff side, and the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms has been requested to take action for its prescription in that respect.
It is understood that consultations with trade unions will take place at the level of the Ministry of Civil Service and Administrative Reforms. Once the scheme of service is prescribed by Public Service Commission, my Ministry will take appropriate action for the filling of the vacancies in the grade of Consumer Protection Officer.
Insofar as the post of Head, Consumer Protection Unit is concerned, it became vacant on 08 September 2003, when the temporary incumbent took employment with the ICAC. An exercise was carried out by the Public Service Commission in October 2004 to fill the post but the offer which was made in March 2005, had to be withdrawn given that the selected candidate could not assume duty within the prescribed delay. Since then, the post has remained vacant, and the next seniormost officer in the grade of Principal Consumer Protection Officer has been assigned duties of Head, Consumer Protection Unit.
With the setting up of the Ministry, funds have been made available for filling the vacancy of Head, Consumer Protection Unit. Action is being initiated to that effect as I consider that it is difficult for the Unit to operate efficiently and effectively without a substantive Head, although I must point out that those who have acted in the capacity of Head, Consumer Protection Unit have done so to the best of their abilities | | | Sitting 18 of 2009 (Tuesday 16 June 2009)
CONSUMERS – RIGHTS - PROMOTION | | | (No. B/554) Mr S. Soodhun (Fifth Member for La Caverne and Phoenix) asked the Minister of Consumer Protection and Citizens Charter whether, in regard to the consumers, he will state the additional measures Government proposes to take to promote the protection of their rights.
Mr Tang Wah Hing: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, consumer protection is at the heart of each and every measure taken by the Government. One of the most important measures taken to protect consumers and safeguard their interests and rights is the creation of a Ministry for Consumer Protection and Citizens Charter.
In an era crippled with unfair trade practices which adversely affect consumers’ rights,
additional innovative measures and being implemented. These include –
(a) decentralisation of the Consumer Protection Unit with a view to providing a “service de proximité” to the public at large. The Consumer Protection Unit now offers decentralised services in four zones of the country in CAB offices, excluding Port Louis.
(b) work restructuring of the Consumer Protection Unit with effect from 01 June 2009. Henceforth, works of the Consumer Protection Unit will be undertaken on the basis of regions to ensure better follow-up and monitoring of all consumer matters falling within the respective regions.
(c) the setting up of a flying squad in January 2009 to handle complaints more effectively and to track down offenders in the shortest delay.
(d) the setting up of a price observatory is being seriously considered. The price observatory is an excellent mechanism through which consumers can be informed on the variables that go in the prices of goods. The price observatory would also detect possible cases of dumping of products on the local market.
(e) a complete review of the legislations in the field of consumer protection is being envisaged. Preliminary works have already been carried out by my Ministry and arrangements are being made with the Law Reforms Commission to undertake that task;
(f) Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, one of the fundamental rights of a consumer is the right to be informed. Consumer education is thus a vital component of my Ministry’s portfolio. Soon, a magazine will be published to give further impetus to consumer education. This magazine will be a regular feature of my Ministry’s activities;
(g) in order to enlarge the scope of consumer protection, the concept of a Citizen’s Charter is being reviewed and revitalized with a shift from the traditional serviceprovider driven approach to a service-user driven approach.
Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, these are only some of the measures being contemplated. As the business environment is dynamic and volatile, new measures will have to be considered as and when changes occur with the ultimate objective of protecting the consumers.
Mr Bhagwan: M. le président, je suis un peu perplexe. Since the setting up of this Ministry and, despite the promises and speeches, consumers are suffering more and prices have been shooting up daily. Can I know from the hon. Minister when, at least, the consumers will get concrete action and concrete measures? We don’t want speeches, promises or whatever. Not only we have a Ministry spending money, but we have no result.
Mr Tang Wah Hing: I just want to reply to the hon. Member. My Ministry is working. We are not making speeches or doing anything wrong.
(Interruptions)
The Deputy Speaker: Order, please!
Mr Tang Wah Hing: We are acting, but the hon. Member is doing because he is a politician. But we are working very hard in my Ministry.
Mr Soodhun: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, will the hon. Minister agree with me that there is a decrease in prices and that a circulaire must be issued to all the supermarkets because most of the time they say they are not aware?
Mr Tang Wah Hing: I just want to let the hon. Member know that in the near future we are working on it and we are having very modern technology, that is, by SMS, e-mail and all these things to respond to the public.
Mr Bhagwan: I am a politician, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am here since 26 years. I know I will come again, Sir.
The Deputy Speaker: Will the hon. Member put the question, please?
Mr Bhagwan: I am proud to be a politician and I represent the public, I am paid from public fund. Can I know from the hon. Minister what is the price of a packet of kraft today?
The Deputy Speaker: That question is not allowed!
Mr Soodhun: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to ask the hon. Minister whether he is aware that the …
(Interruptions)
The Deputy Speaker: Order, please!
Mr Soodhun: …that are being issued from the big supermarket, in a lapse of one hour, all the articles disappeared. I can give the hon. Minister the proof.
Mr Tang Wah Hing: I think it is the work of a magician, but not ours.
Mr Lesjongard: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, may I ask the hon. Minister since he has resumed office, how many meetings he had had with the Association of Consumers of this country?
Mr Tang Wah Hing: We have many meetings, but we have only two consumers’ agencies that deal with the public.
Mr Dowarkasing: May I know from the hon. Minister what is the manpower that is being disposed at this Ministry? How many inspectors does he have? What is the manpower being composed of?
Mr Tang Wah Hing: The hon. Member should come with a substantive question.
(Interruptions)
The Deputy Speaker: If it is not a speech, but a question, it is allowed. Hon. Cuttaree!
Mr Cuttaree: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, there have been reports that the consumer associations are not getting their subsidies from Government. Can I know whether this is correct and, if so, what is the reason for which this payment to ACIM has been discontinued?
Mr Tang Wah Hing: Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, funding of agencies does not concern my ministry | | | | |
