DUSHANBE, May 14, Asia-Plus  -- The lower house (Majlisi Namoyandagon) of Tajik parliament has not endorsed a bill requiring amendments to the law on protection of consumer rights

The regular sitting of the fourth session of the Majlisi Namoyandagon of the third convocation, presided over by its head, Saydullo Khairulloyev, was held on May 14.  

            Presenting the bill, Davlatali Hotamov, the director of the Agency for Standardization, Metrology, Certification and Trade Inspection, noted that the proposed amendments are aimed at preventing import of inferior goods into the country.  

Speaking at the session, MP Shodi Shabdolov noted that simultaneously with those amendments it is necessary to prepare draft changes both to the criminal code and the administrative code.  

“Under Article 294 of Tajikistan’s Criminal Panel (consumer fraud) the consumer fraud in an amount exceeding a tenth part of the minimum monthly wage is considered “sizeable fraud” and the consumer fraud in an amount equivalent to one and half of the minimum monthly wage is considered “large-size fraud,” said Shabdolov.  “If seller short-changes consumer by more than two somonis, he could face large fine or even up to two years in prison.”  

“If so, it may happen that no one seller will remain on markets,” MP noted.     

            Speaker suggested that the bill should be returned as requiring improvement.  He also ordered to work out amendments to the mentioned codes.    

            The session also ratified Tajik-Turkmen and Tajik-Syrian government-to-government agreements on mutual protection of investments and approved amendments made to the forestry code.