Alisher Khaitmetov, the Director of Veolia Energy Tashkent, proposed an increase in tariffs for hot water and heat supply for the city's population. The proposal, aimed at reducing the burden on the local budget, has sparked both support and criticism among the deputies and residents alike, Gazeta.uz reported on February 13.
Khaitmetov states that the proposed tariff hike would see an increase from the current rate of UZS 91,960 ($7.36) per Gcal to UZS 105,754 ($8.47). He justified the increase by stating,
"To reduce the burden on the local budget, it is proposed to increase [the tariff] by 15%."
Currently, a significant portion of the hot water tariff is subsidized by the local budget, with residents paying only 14% of the total cost.
However, concerns raised by Deputy Naima Zhabborova shed light on the ongoing issues faced by residents. Zhabborova lamented the poor quality of hot water, citing instances of "yellow water" flowing from taps and the prolonged wait for hot water to become available. She also highlighted unfulfilled promises regarding the installation of meters to account for cold water flow.
Acknowledging these issues, Khaitmetov emphasized that solving them would require time and concerted efforts. He stated,
"They cannot be solved in 1-2 years,"
while assuring that work is underway to address the challenges.
In contrast, Deputy Khusniddin Ergashev commended Veolia's services in areas where the company operates, expressing satisfaction among residents. He called for increased allocation of funds from the company to repair and modernize heating networks, suggesting a potential solution to some of the existing problems.
The proposal to increase tariffs comes after a previous hike at the end of 2023, which saw tariffs for heat supply services for legal entities and budgetary institutions rise significantly. Despite these increases, tariffs for the population remained unchanged, leading to a strain on the city's budget. A substantial portion of the capital's budget is allocated to reimburse losses incurred by heat supply enterprises due to reduced tariffs for the population.
It is reported that the proposal to increase tariffs was approved by the city council, signaling a forthcoming change in the cost of hot water and heat supply for residents of Tashkent. However, the decision has left some residents wary of potential financial burdens, especially considering the existing issues with service quality.
Earlier Daryo reported that Uzbekistan plans to revamp its water management system by introducing cost-based water tariffs and privatizing drinking and sewerage water supply services. These initiatives are aimed at modernizing and improving the effectiveness of water services nationwide. Starting January 1, 2024, tariffs for cold water and sewerage will be calculated according to the real cost of the services rendered, marking a significant shift in the country's approach to water pricing.
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