AGGRIEVED SMEs CAN KNOCK AT THE DOOR OF OMBUDSMAN

The federal and provincial ombudsmen are providing special free of charge services to the aggrieved and it is very important that the common man should know about the role of the ombudsman both provincial and federal and the services provided by their offices. The role of the ombudsman is remarkable for protection of rights and redress of grievances but definitely needs to be widely publicized. Unfortunately the common man does not know that he/she can knock at the doors of the ombudsman easily without any fees and without an advocate. A complaint can also be lodged online and this facility offered by the ombudsman also needs to be highlighted.

President of the Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (UNISAME) Zulfikar Thaver said being impressed and inspired by the services provided to the common man by the ombudsman, the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) Policy 2007 made by the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) Ministry of Industries and Production, Government of Pakistan, envisaged and recommended the appointment of an SME Ombudsman to represent the interest of the small business community by investigating and addressing complaints of maladministration or violation of rights. The typical duties of an ombudsman are to investigate complaints and attempt to resolve them, usually through recommendations.. Ombudsmen sometimes also aim to identify systemic issues leading to poor service or breaches of people’s rights. In some countries the ombudsman also promote and protect human rights.

The small businessmen community is facilitated by the ombudsman and is offered help and support against grievances which are redressed after investigation and the departments are issued instructions if the complaint is genuine.

The SME feels confident, secured and comfortable that no government officer can trample his/her rights and behave high highhandedly for surely the aggrieved can lodge a complaint with the ombudsman and will get relief free of charge.
In fact till such time an SME ombudsman is appointed under the SME policy a working arrangement can be made with the provincial ombudsmen to entertain complaints of the business community and a separate desk be provided for prompt redressal for complaints of the sector.

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