DUSHANBE, September 30, 2009, Asia-Plus — Rumors about a deal between the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade (MEDT) and certain category of electricity consumers over power pricing are absolutely unfounded, the First Deputy Minister Economic Development and Trade, Amonullo Ashour, announced at a round meeting entitled “Protection of rights of Consumers n Energy Sector” in Dushanbe on September 29.
According to him, the MEDT antimonopoly directorate is working on improving the mechanism of setting electricity rates. “This year, we have reduced the number of categories of electricity consumers from 11 to 6,” the deputy minister, noting that work in that direction is being continued.
He noted that there were some difficulties with correct application of new electricity rates set on August 1, 2009, when electricity prices were raised by 25 percent. “Many consumers having electricity debts for five or six months are afraid that they will have to pay off their debts in accordance with new tariffs but I can reassure them that the debts formed before August 1 are repaid in accordance with the previous tariffs,” Ashour said.
He said that the average price of one kilowatt-electricity should reach 2.5 cents by the end of 2010, noting that the price hike comes in response to recommendations of some donor international organizations.
Organized by the MEDT and Consumers’ Union of Tajikistan, the meeting brought together MPs. representatives of president’s office, ministries of economy and energy, Barqi Tojik power holding, Tojiktransgaz (Tajik state natural-gas distributor) as well as a number of relevant international organizations active in the country to exchange views on protection of rights of energy consumers.
