MPs Push to Scrap 32-Fils Power Band

TDT | Manama

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Five MPs have lodged a Parliament bid to scrap the 32-fils electricity band charged to Bahrainis in their first home once monthly use passes 7,000 kWh, saying long months of air-conditioning can push families into the top tier.

The plan would make the third band, which starts at 5,001 kWh, the final tier with no upper limit and no rise beyond its 16-fils rate.

The current four-band scale was brought in under a ministerial resolution issued in February. It charges 3 fils per kWh for the first 3,000 kWh, 9 fils from 3,001 to 5,000, 16 fils from 5,001 to 7,000 and 32 fils above 7,000.

The proposal comes from Strategic Thinking Bloc MPs Khalid BuAnaq, Zainab Abdulameer, Ahmed Al Salloom, Hisham Al Awadhi and Mohammed Al Maarifi.

Mr BuAnaq said large families and relatives sharing the same home can also be pushed into the top band because of higher household use.

‘Many Bahraini families see their electricity and water bills jump as soon as they enter the fourth band, leaving them with monthly payments beyond what they can afford,’ he said.

He said low- and middle-income families are among those hit when several people live under one roof.

Under the MPs’ plan, all electricity use above 5,001 kWh would stay on the third-band rate of 16 fils per unit.

EWA says government electricity and water support is given to eligible Bahrainis on their primary residence account, subject to its eligibility rules.

Mr BuAnaq said Bahrain’s long hot months mean air conditioners often have to run for long periods.

‘Air conditioning is a basic need for healthy living,’ he said.

The proposal will go before the relevant parliamentary committee for study.