Property tax causes upheaval
The collection via electricity bills of the emergency property tax announced 10 days ago seems to be growing into a more and more difficult proposition by the day, with citizens voicing increasing opposition and power distributors fearing legal and practical complications.
While the relevant amendment has still not been voted through Parliament, distributors? call centers have been inundated with calls from clients, many of whom are threatening collective legal suits. Others, mainly commercial firms which have sought legal advice, say they are considering paying their electricity bills without the levy at the Loans and Deposits Fund.
Officials of the Public Power Corporation, the country?s main electricity supplier, seem to be more concerned that consumers will be truly unable to pay in the present economic climate rather than about them raising legal issues. They also say that inquiries regarding applications to cut off electricity supplies to country houses have multiplied tenfold in the last few days, as have applications to pay the reduced rate for vulnerable groups.
