MK Yisrael Eichler is angered over treasury refusal to grant a discount in water rates to the needy. He explains “It is midas Sodom that NIS hundreds of millions intended to grant lower rates to the elderly and needy are allocated to subsidize rates for farmers” Eichler explains”.
In his capacity as chairman of the Knesset Ombudsman Committee, Eichler receives many complaints regarding water rates. He explains that he has learned many Israelis who are entitled to discounts in water rates are not receiving the discount. He is calling for the establishment of exceptions committees in each water company, a committee that will examine requests for discounts and monitor rates, which are too often inflated.
Eichler explains those in need of a discount cannot afford an attorney and they are left without the ability to defend their rights while the treasury has budgeted NIS 70 million to grant discounts to the elderly and disabled and in fact, only NIS 20 million of this amount was actually paid. Eichler feels the law must be amended to give the discount directly to those entitled in addition to compelling the establishment of monitoring committee in each water committee.
MK (Zionist Camp) Yitzchak Shmuli explains that a water is among the three categories that receive the most complaints in the ombudsmen committee. MK (Yisrael Beitenu) Sofa Landver feels the authority for granting the discounts should be taken away from water companies and given back to local government, each respective City Hall.
The treasury is opposed to the formation of these exceptions committees simply because it feels each discount granted results in a greater burden for the remainder of the citizens. Eichler responds, explaining he thought the finance minister was sensitive to the needs of the people and that he would back such a plan.
The committee decided to turn to Minister of Finance Moshe Kahlon with a request to grant reductions in water rates to those entitled from the first cubic meter and to approve the establishment of the committees to monitor water companies on the municipality level as was the case when City Halls handled the matter.
(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)
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One Response
And how exactly is this the fault of the farmers? Why drag them into it? (Not to mention the fact that the subsidies they receive lower the cost of produce, eggs and dairy products for the entire population including the needy). Oh, wait, could it be that almost none of the learned MK’s constituents are farmers so why not fling some mud at them? For shame.