Turkmenistan scraps free water supplies, slaps backdated bills

By bne IntelliNews February 25, 2016

Turkmen authorities have taken its population by surprise as they have begun demanding payments for water supply services, which have been free since 2004, for 11 months of 2015, Turkmen news website habartm.org reported on February 24. The decision to cancel free water comes after the country scrapped the monthly allowance of 120 litres of petrol fuel per individual in 2014 and ended free gas supplies for the population in 2015.   

The Turkmen government is ridding the country of its generous welfare programmes because economic and budgetary troubles stemming from a slowdown in the exports of its hydrocarbons, which account for 90% of the country’s total exports, as falling oil prices are affecting the monetary value of the country’s natural gas and oil exports. The IMF projected the country’s exports of oil and gas to decrease to $13,954mn in 2015 from $18,535mn in 2014.

The authorities informed the population about the end of free water supplies in January without warning them about charging them for 11 months, according to the report. The rate for some households amounts TMT34 (€8.8) for 11 months, while others are being charged TMT37-39.

Read in IntelliNews Pro
Get IntelliNews Pro

Related Articles

Tashkent announces plan for Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan free trade zone

An Uzbekistan-Turkmenistan free trade zone (FTZ) is to be established in Shovot district of Uzbekistan's northwestern Khorezm region, Trend reported on February 29. According to a presidential ... more

Trade between China and four of five “Stans” expands at rapid rate in 2023

Trade between China and the countries of Central Asia expanded at a rapid rate in 2023, with the exception of Turkmenistan, according to data published by China’s customs agency, or GACC. ... more

Accor signs for first hotel in Tajikistan but report says investors remain hesitant to put money into Central Asia hotels

French hotel giant Accor has signed an agreement to open its first hotel in Tajikistan. A Swissôtel 243-room property within an 18-floor building, located in the the centre of the capital ... more

Follow Us On

Most Read

  1. Iran vs Israel: Who is better equipped for war?
    4 days ago
  2. Saudi Arabia to scale back plans for Neom city
    7 days ago
  3. BREAKING: Iraq, Syria and Jordan close airspace amid Iranian strike on Israel
    4 days ago
  4. PANNIER: Caspian military drills that exclude Russia and Iran have some people in Moscow asking questions
    5 days ago
  5. Oil continues to flow to Israel via Turkey despite Erdogan’s vehement speeches on plight of Gaza
    5 months ago
  1. Russia could pay off its entire external debt tomorrow, in cash
    18 days ago
  2. Speculation swirls of “Men in Blue” in Crocus City Hall terrorist attack linked to FSB
    22 days ago
  3. Albanians campaign on social media to keep bus bridge created in freak accident
    1 year ago
  4. UBN: Russia could take the Baltic states in 48 hours
    27 days ago
  5. BRICS announce a blockchain-based payment system to create a common currency
    20 days ago

Reports

Dismiss