The government has rationalised marking fee levied by Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) on two and three wheelers after 24 years of initial levy. Federal Minister for Science & Technology Chaudhry Nauraiz Shakoor announced the decision in a meeting with representatives of the Pakistan Automotive Manufacturers Association (PAMA) here on Thursday.
The ministry agreed to support PAMA's proposals and decided to enforce Pakistani quality standards on imported auto vehicles. The PSQCA director-general has already initiated necessary follow-ups in this regard with the commerce ministry.
PAMA representatives lauded the decision and called it a "historic step in the right direction" that would ensure greater transparency and a healthy public-private partnership.
Representatives of five major companies, later, presented cheques worth Rs 17 million as first instalment of arrears. Additional payments of Rs 35 million would be settled by December 2005.
Act VI of 1996 has mandated the PSQCA to levy marking fee for products falling under Compulsory Certification Marks Scheme, that presently covers 46 items only out of some 20,000 adopted by the PSQCA.
The 2/3 wheelers auto vehicles were brought under this category since January 31, 2002 and required to pay marking fee @ 0.25 percent on the cost of production. However, PAMA and other organisation continuously sought revision in these rates as also the basis for computation on ex-factory price. Agreed rate of marking fee is applicable with effect from July 1, 2005 @ 0.1 percent and ex-factory price.
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