Bulgarian energy watchdog head has said he won't step down amid calls from
employers' unions which have demanded his resignation over a hike in power
prices for industrial consumers.
Ivanov has insisted in an interview with private national NOVA TV channel that
his agency, the Commission for Energy and Water Regulation (KEVR), abode by the
law by adopting last week a "transparent, fair and public"
decision" on power rates.
KEVR moved last
week to cut power prices for households (except for customers of one
of the electricity distributors) and to increase those for industrial
consumers.
The hike for businesses has been fueling the anger of employers for months, and
trade unions have also jointed recent protests of employers warning that the
hike will result in thousands of jobs being cut and tremendous losses for
industries.
But Ivanov is adamant he will not backtrack: "Because all the time I am
led by the clear thought that I hold this office to defend the interest of
society. I am here neither to make a career nor to be liked by anybody."
In his words, KEVR will not defend "corporate interests" voiced
by "a certain part of consumers".
Despite admitting the new surcharge for businesses is high, he has insisted
there is no other option to tackle financial imbalances generated by the
state-owned National Electricity Company (NEK) due to a series of governance
mistakes made over the last ten years.
"Businesses, where they are upright, are not to blame, but I am now posing
the other question: how can citizens be to blame for the huge deficit?,"
he has asked.
The hike was largely caused by an increase in the so-called "obligation to
society" fee which is now BGN 38/MWh, up from BGN 19.93/MHw, for most
consumers.
At a Sunday meeting employers' associations demanded the resignation of Ivanov.
They added they would go on with their protest over the increased prices and
will take to the streets again in September if the measure is not reversed.
Earlier last week they held a nationwide demonstration to vent their anger at
the hike.
Also on Sunday, PM Boyko Borisov said Bulgaria would set up a new special unit
to oversee the energy sector that would bring together prosecutors and
counter-intelligence and security officials from the State Agency for National
Security (DANS).
(www.novinite.com)
