Power tariffs issue binds Sri Lankans
View(s):It was probably one of the most comprehensive coming together, in recent times, of individual Sri Lankans, companies, hoteliers, politicians, Buddhist monks, power producers, chambers, environmentalist and women’s groups over a public issue of utmost importance.
Such concern on issues of national importance is commendable and needs to be taken to the next level like for example civil society being joined by all other sections to campaign for governance and transparency and accountability in the conduct of the state.
Furthermore while lawyers, businessmen, industrialists and public spirited citizens raised objections on the new power tariffs or suggested ways of improving the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the emergence of many consumer groups bodes well for the future in consumer resistance on many issues.
Though there are dozens of consumer societies spread across the island, many are either defunct, inactive or guided by local politicians to serve their own purposes. Rarely have these societies banded together in a single national voice to fight for the rights of consumers on a spectrum of issues like the cost of living, fuel prices, rice and vegetable prices, customer service at state and private sector institutions and a gamut of problems that confront the people in daily life.
Consumer resistance unlike in many countries in Asia and, closer home, South Asia is zero and non-existent as far as the public is concerned.
Thus the existence and involvement of consumer societies from Jaffna, Anuradhapura, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Galle, Manmunai and Kattankudy in Batticaloa, in making presentations and raising issues on power tariffs before the recent public consultation organised by the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), is a welcome development in the consumer rights arena.
The creation of groups like the Federation of Electricity Consumer Societies and the National Movement of Electricity Consumers also provides a lot of hope that these groups could steer consumer rights education and awareness to a new level.
Both these organised groups made representations to the PUCSL on the power tariffs structure. A sole cinema, Sarasavi Cinema from Alawwa, also made representations, a praiseworthy development in Sri Lanka where public activism on national issues is still in its infancy for a variety of reasons.
While the impact from the PUCSL process failed to cheer the people insofar as relief being granted from the costly new tariffs structure, the entire public consultation and transparent process of the PUCSL is something to seriously consider in the future on many national issues.
For example whenever white papers on education, health or other social needs are being presented, a public consultation similar to the PUCSL process is a great starting point.
It opens a wide range of other options as far as consumer awareness, education and rights are concerned. The state-run Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) could be the binding unit to bring consumer groups together in championing a more effective movement to ensure the people are provided quality goods and services at an affordable price.
If necessary, amendments should be made to the Consumer Affairs Authority Act of 1979 to make it more effective, more protective of the rights of consumers and encourage the creation of movements to promote consumer awareness and education on critical issues like education, health and social benefits.
Set up in the late 1970s after the then United National Party (UNP) Government brought in sweeping free-market policies encouraging both import and export trade and services, the CAA needs to update its mechanism and keep up with the times in a very competitive marketplace.
The CAA charter on the rights and responsibilities of consumers provides for; the right to satisfaction of basic needs; the right to safety against products and services that are hazardous to health or life; the right to be informed (and make an informed choice against dishonest or misleading advertising and labeling); the right to choose (competitive prices with an assurance of satisfactory quality); the right to be heard; the right to redress; the right to consumer education; and the right to a healthy environment.
Yet how much of this charter is being practised by the CAA? Doesn’t this also cover reasonable power rates or for that matter, the need for a proper service from the CEB? How often, is the power supply abruptly cut off without adequate notice or consumers find it difficult to reach the CEB hot line to make a complaint?
What about the impact of a power duopoly – CEB and LECO (Lanka Electricity Co.)? Local think-tank, the Pathfinder Foundation quoted an internationally renowned Sri Lankan regulatory expert as saying that that ‘the only thing worse than a monopoly is a duopoly’.
This group also points out (see story on this page) that while urgent action needs to be taken to adjust power tariffs, “unless CEB restructuring is undertaken, this annual ritual of public consultations on the electricity tariff will only be a short term, unsustainable, costly, patchwork solution”.
Thus while long term solutions through much needed reforms at the CEB are urgently needed, it is hoped that the PUCSL consultation on power prices would trigger a larger, national consumer movement that could ensure Sri Lankans get goods and services at a reasonable price and reasonable quality, accompanied by reasonable service.
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