No Increase In Electricity Charges

The interim Finance Minister said there will be no increase in electricity charges on June 12th as granted by the Commerce Commission.

Mahendra Chaudhry said it is government that makes the final decision on whether to implement any increase in fuel surcharge granted by the Commission.

In a statement released, Chaudhry said the increases have to be considered by Cabinet and so far it has not been notified of any hike in fuel surcharge granted by the Commission.

Chaudhry said the Interim Government is mindful of the hardship to ordinary people posed by the increasing cost of fuel and food prices adding they do not wish to burden the people with additional expenditure.

He added the interim administration will take into consideration the impact of such an increase on the economy, industrial, commercial and domestic consumers and low income earners.

He assured the public that no hasty decision would be taken to increase the cost of electricity at this stage.

The Commerce Commission announced yesterday that they have granted the FEA an increase in fuel surcharge rate from 2.83 cents per unit to 5.53 cents per unit effective from next Thursday.