Basescu Supports Plan To Reduce Number Of Heating Aid Beneficiaries

05.19.2011 By Ioana Tudor

Romanian President Traian Basescu supports the government’s plan to eliminate heating subsidies and direct such aid only to disadvantaged categories.

Basescu said Thursday, at an economic seminar organized by financial daily Ziarul Financiar, that authorities want to direct heating subsidies to people on low income, and not to eliminate them.

The Government has pledged in the letter of intent to the International Monetary Fund to eliminate heating subsidies by end-August at the latest and grant the aid only to those on low income.

Prime Minister Emil Boc said recently that families whose monthly net income is up to 850 lei (about EUR200) per family member will continue to get heating subsidies from the Government, while the rest of household consumers will have higher bills.