Government readjusts electricity prices after public backlash

Photo: bianet

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After the public outrage following the electricity price hikes at the start of the year, the government has readjusted the price tariffs.

The value added tax (VAT) for electricity used in households and agricultural irrigation has been reduced from 18 to 8 percent, President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced after a cabinet meeting yesterday (February 28).

Also, the monthly electricity usage threshold for the low price tariff for households will be increased from 210 to 240 kilowatt-hour starting from March 1.

For businesses, electricity prices up to a monthly use of 900 kilowatt-hour will be lowered by 25 percent.

With the hikes introduced on January 1, electricity prices for businesses, households and the industry increased by up to 168 percent, which led to public outrage and protests across the country.

Erdoğan had initially dismissed protests, saying that the prices were reasonable.

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(TP/VK)