Solar power facility: Good move but please reconsider interest rate on loan facility
Tudor Wickremasinghe Colombo 8
About two weeks ago, there was a leaflet from an electricity company in regard to a loan scheme that has been launched to facilitate solar energy.
These loans are to be granted by the National Savings Bank (NSB) subject to a maximum amount to Rupees 1 million payable over seven years at an interest rate of 8% p.a.(may be refinanced by the company).
On further inquiry, it was brought to the notice of the writer that the excess electricity generated by the solar panels would be bought back by them (the company) at Rs.22.50 per unit( after installing the net metering system).
This is a good move but my kind request to the company is to reconsider the rate of interest charged on the loan facility and make it in the range of 3 to 4 % p.a.to facilitate more people getting attracted to this facility.
This is in view of the following: 1. Most of us are not in a position to pay an additional amount over and above the existing amount in the bill as most of us fixed income earners are facing the problems of high inflation. 2. The Government should be able to subsidise the additional amount to the banks in reduction of the rate of interest (as done in the case of senior citizen deposits). 3. This is for a worthy cause - a national project which will help the country in numerous ways rather than wasting people’s hard earned money in invest- Via email ing in unproductive so- called projects which were done recently. 4. We are sure that this interest supporting facility could be accommodated by the Government by obtaining soft loan facilities from donors. As we all know we spend Rs 8 million per month to maintain so called ministers. We saw, Cabinet approval, granted about a month ago to buy vehicles for MPs (of whom 177 don’t have their O’Ls) to the tune of millions.
Taking into consideration these facts and figures, we earnestly request the responsible authority to implement the above relief immediately to promote this valuable project. Via email
Dr. Rajitha Senaratne’s move with regard to bringing down the price of drugs is laudable; but the move has its negative side-effects too. Certain drugs that are imported by those in the pharmaceuticals trade face a problem as the manufacturers/suppliers have refused to cut down so drastically the cost of drugs they supply. As a result the importation of these drugs have come to a stand-still and patients have to face hardships.
What is the alternative that Dr. Senaratne has implemented to import the drugs essential for the survival of these patients who need these drugs?
Most of the senior citizens, which includes me, have been using certain drugs for hypertension for over a decade.
Herbesser, a beta blocker, is a brand of quality which had been prescribed by our Cardiologist (200 mg. 120mg, 90mg, 60mg and 30mg.) – the generic name is Diltiazem Hydrochloride.
It is now almost impossible to get Herbesser in the market. There are substitute drugs of the same generic name, but they are actually ineffective. This may be due to: 1. People are psychologically tuned to a particular brand and the non-availability of that brand causes many a problem to those having cardiac problems. 2. Those who supply substitute drugs at low costs are definitely providing sub- standard drugs, which do not have the same effectiveness of the original brand. We are really upset at the non-availability of these drugs and we would rather pay more to get our quality brand rather than be deprived of it.
What about the usage of other drugs for other ailments?
Are those patients facing the same difficulties in obtaining their brand of drugs too?
Another drug, to my knowledge, is Livogen – Which is a “captab” taken by those who suffer from deficiencies in their Haemoglobin levels. They are so used to this drug, no other alternative works for them. So in many instances, we have requested those going to India, to get these drugs for us, for our survival.
Did Dr. Senaratne, make arrangements for the importation of those essential drugs that are urgently needed by the suffering patients or does he feel comfortable that he has reduced the prices of drugs, irrespective of disastrous inconveniences faced by the patients?
We earnestly and urgently request Dr. Senaratne, to rectify this unnecessary problem which he has caused. A problem which has caused emotional anguish.
Something has to be done soon, or there will be another disaster. M. Zulkifli Nazim Via email