EFL move queried
Chaudhry questions withdrawal of 52pc subsidy to low-income earners
ENERGY Fiji Ltd chief executive officer Hasmukh Patel says he does not have to respond to a claim by Fiji Labour Party leader Mahendra Chaudhry that EFL has withdrawn its 52 per cent subsidy to lowincome earners.
In a statement issued recently, Mr Chaudhry said the subsidy had been initiated to assist the people in a situation of severe economic downturn following the COVID-19 pandemic.
He called on EFL to explain its decision to withdraw the 52 per cent subsidy on the first 100 units of power per month for domestic customers.
Mr Chaudhry claimed the Government’s 48 per cent subsidy of $16.34 continued while EFL had withdrawn “without explanation” its 52 per cent subsidy of $17.67 per month for the first 100 units as of April 1.
“The Fiji Labour Party is satisfied that EFL has the financial capacity to continue the subsidy, and should do so, as a responsible public sector corporate organisation, until economic conditions improve,” the former prime minister said.
“The party is apprehensive that the withdrawal of the subsidy may be a sign of things to come now that the Government has embarked on a partial privatisation of EFL.”
Questions sent to EFL corporate affairs and communications manager Karunesh Rao on Mr Chaudhry’s statement remain unanswered.
When contacted by telephone yesterday, Mr Patel said Mr Chaudhry had the right to make any comment, but that did not mean he would have to respond.
“That’s fine, he has said some comments that is right, anyone says anything that doesn’t mean I have to comment,” said Mr Patel.