Consumer rights

This refers to the news report, ‘LHC declares all power surcharges unconstitutional’ (May 30). The prime responsibility of Nepra is to look after consumers’ interests but unfortunately it has been allowing undue surcharges to be imposed under Section 31(5) of the Nepra Transmission and Distribution of Electric Power Act, 1997, which has been declared against the basic rights of consumers by the LHC.
The question is: who formulated the Nepra ACT 1997 in the first place? Why have the PPP and PML-N governments allowed such anti-people taxes that negate the basic principles of the constitution? Many laws that were in fact formulated during the British Raj are still being used. What is the use of a regulatory authority if it cannot protect consumers’ rights?
Engr S T Hussain
Lahore