10 October, Minsk /Anna Kot - BELTA/. The Belarusian government may decide on the introduction of differentiated electricity tariffs in October 2012. This opinion was expressed today to journalists by the Deputy Minister of Energy, Mikhail Miadzuk, as reported by a BELTA correspondent. "The government is still working on this issue, and no final decision has been made. I think a decision will be made in October, but it cannot be guaranteed that a decision will be made by November," said Mikhail Miadzuk. The Deputy Minister explained that the introduction of differentiated tariffs would help to partially eliminate cross-subsidisation in the payment of electricity costs by the population. Currently, with preferential electricity tariffs, it turns out that those who consume more electricity indirectly receive greater benefits from the state, the Deputy Minister noted. "I don't know which option the government will adopt, but there must be fairness," said Mikhail Miadzuk. The phased reduction of cross-subsidisation in Belarus will be carried out, bringing the level of cost recovery for all housing and communal services to 60% by 2015, including for gas and electricity supply services – to the cost price level. At the same time, Mikhail Miadzuk noted that the exact date will depend on how the economic situation develops. "An indispensable condition will be observed – the increase in tariffs for housing and communal services will only be carried out taking into account the real monetary income of the population," stressed the Deputy Minister of Energy. -0-

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