DUSHANBE, July 7, 2008, Asia-Plus — On Monday July 7, Tajik Journalists’ Union hosted a press conference dedicated to opening on permanent centers for protecting rights of consumers in the energy sector in Tajikistan.
The press conference, staged by Consumers’ Union of Tajikistan (CUT) Tajikistan’s consumer union under support of the Independent School of Journalism “Tajikistan – 21st Century” (School), discussed specificity of activities of the centers that were set up in the cities of Dushanbe, Khujand and Qurghon Teppa in early July and united into the national network for protection of consumers’ interest and rights as pas part of the “Promoting People-Centered Consumer Policy Framework in Energy Sector of Tajikistan” project funded by the delegation of the European Commission in Tajikistan.
Speaking at the press conference, the CUT Executive Director, Mr. Bahodur Habibov, noted that the objective of the project is to create independent system of protection of rights of consumers in the energy sector, raise citizens’ awareness of their rights and make them active in use of their rights, duties and potentials as consumers, promote partnership and intensification of participation of consumers in the reform process, and development of amendments to the country’s legislation.
The national network for protection of consumers’ interest and rights will make available free legal consultations on the power supply issues, provide phone consultancy, carry out independent legal examination and provide pre-trial and trial representation of consumers, Habibov said.
“The first stage of activity the national network will be finished in 14 months,” said the CUT executive director.
“Over this period, information of different character will be collected for further generalization.”
According to him, eleven persons currently work with the network in
Dushanbe
, Khujand and Qurghon Teppa.
He noted that Consumers’ Union of Tajikistan intends to hold of roundtable meetings on social partnership and informational-educational campaigns, producing public service announcements (PSA), publishing booklets and conducting seminars for leaders of local communities and personnel of power suppliers.
