Afət Ziyadqızı
“Utility tariffs are the most important factor affecting life in mountainous districts. The climate in Baku and Absheron differs from that in the high-altitude villages of Gadabay, Dashkasan, Lerik, Shahbuz and Gusar. Some communities have families who need to heat their homes for seven or eight months a year. Yet the same consumption tariffs and limits apply across the country, and monthly fixed charges are also imposed for gas and electricity. Applying the same consumption conditions to families living in different climates has serious consequences.”
“Operative Information Center-OMM” reports that committee chairman Zahid Oruj made the remarks during a discussion of the draft law “On the State Budget of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2027” at a joint meeting held today by the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) committees on Legal Policy and State Building; Defense, Security and Combating Corruption; Human Rights; and Regional Affairs.
“We are not talking about changing utility tariffs across the entire country at once. This is about taking a different approach to families living in harsh climates, particularly those in border and high-mountain villages. We propose abolishing gas and electricity consumption limits in such areas and applying preferential rates to bills. Additional pay coefficients could also be set for doctors and teachers working in those villages, taking climate and distance into account. Adopting a state program to strengthen settlement in border and mountain villages could play an important role in preventing the flow to the capital, a concern the country’s leader has emphasized,” the committee chairman said.
