Kuwait Government eyes hike in prices of electricity & water
Electricity consumers with pending bills face disconnection
Kuwait: The government is planning to increase the prices of electricity and water in the near future, reports Al-Shahid daily. Government sources say the price of electricity will vary depending on the consumer. For instance, electricity provided to farms will cost 2.3 fils per kilowatt instead of the current price of 2 fils.
Similarly, chalet and stable owners will have to pay 25 fils instead of 10 fils and factories in Shuaiba and other industrial areas will pay 15 fils instead of one fil.
The price for fresh water will be increased by 30 percent for all sectors, added sources.
Meanwhile, the Consumer Affairs Sector at the Ministry of Electricity and Water (MEW) will soon cut the electricity of those who have failed to settle their outstanding bills in the six governorates, reports Al-Shahid daily quoting sources.
Sources disclosed the decision covers special residential, investment and commercial areas, starting from Farwaniya, then the Capital, Ahmadi and Jahra. Sources said files of the defaulters will be forwarded to the court after the disconnection of their electricity, since they have disregarded the deadline set for them to pay their bills. Sources affirmed the ministry has sent several warnings to these consumers before deciding to cut their electricity.
Sources added the defaulters’ names will be registered in the computer as they will be banned from traveling until they settle their debts. Sources clarified this is applicable to both the citizens and expatriates. Sources said the official transactions of defaulters like those related to traffic, passport and residency will not be processed unless they pay their electricity bills.
We don’t have a problem paying our bills. Why doesn’t the Government make it easy to pay bills. Even in a 3rd world country like India, we sit at home and can pay the bill online besides having other options like cheque collection centers, banks who accept cheques, taking the bill (which is posted to our house) to the MOE and pay within 5 minutes.