11 June 2013
Amman - The Consumer Protection Society (CPS) said on Tuesday it should contribute to the intense debate underway between the government and lawmakers on an impending raise in electricity tariffs, demanding exemption of low-income families from any hike.
"In view of the facts and figures the government had talked about, the CPS advises that a consumer with a monthly consumption of 400 KW should not be affected by the decision that will be taken," CPS President Mohammad Obeidat said in a statement.
Further, he questioned whether government studies to exempt households consuming less than 500 KW per month were based on scientific data or other grounds.
He also asked whether the government was aware of the negative aspects the decision will have on the prices of other consumer commodities.
"If there is any, what are they on the ultimate consumer who will entirely bear the brunt of such a decision in the absence of an independent governmental consumer body ---apart from the calculations of corrupt traders, industrialists and stakeholders?" he asked.
One key point needs prior clarification, he added. Will the government's imminent decision to raise electricity prices by 14% for households be fixed after or before a subsidy announced by distribution companies on citizens' monthly bills? Obeidat said the CPS recognized economic pressures Jordan is facing, both internally and externally, which, he said, sometimes required unpopular decisions, but it simultaneously emphasizes the need for consultation on a consensual formula to serve the higher national interest, but without doing harm to low- and medium-income consumers.
"It is unfair that the citizen remains the weaker link in addressing accumulative failures of successive governments, particularly in the energy sector, which warrants a reconsideration of this sector and opening all files with utmost transparency," he said.
Amman - The Consumer Protection Society (CPS) said on Tuesday it should contribute to the intense debate underway between the government and lawmakers on an impending raise in electricity tariffs, demanding exemption of low-income families from any hike.
"In view of the facts and figures the government had talked about, the CPS advises that a consumer with a monthly consumption of 400 KW should not be affected by the decision that will be taken," CPS President Mohammad Obeidat said in a statement.
Further, he questioned whether government studies to exempt households consuming less than 500 KW per month were based on scientific data or other grounds.
He also asked whether the government was aware of the negative aspects the decision will have on the prices of other consumer commodities.
"If there is any, what are they on the ultimate consumer who will entirely bear the brunt of such a decision in the absence of an independent governmental consumer body ---apart from the calculations of corrupt traders, industrialists and stakeholders?" he asked.
One key point needs prior clarification, he added. Will the government's imminent decision to raise electricity prices by 14% for households be fixed after or before a subsidy announced by distribution companies on citizens' monthly bills? Obeidat said the CPS recognized economic pressures Jordan is facing, both internally and externally, which, he said, sometimes required unpopular decisions, but it simultaneously emphasizes the need for consultation on a consensual formula to serve the higher national interest, but without doing harm to low- and medium-income consumers.
"It is unfair that the citizen remains the weaker link in addressing accumulative failures of successive governments, particularly in the energy sector, which warrants a reconsideration of this sector and opening all files with utmost transparency," he said.
© Jordan News Agency - Petra 2013
