The household consumers in the forth quarter of the year will pay 6.33 lei/m3 of gas if they use up to 30 cubic meters a month and 6.59 lei/m3 if consumption exceeds this volume. The decision was taken by the National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) on September 29, Info-Prim Neo reports. The gas tariffs were raised by 23.2% on average, even if the gas supplier asked for an increase of 28.8%. They will come into force on October 1 and will be applied until December 31, 2011. The tariff for thermoelectric plants was increased by 26.4%, while for other groups of economic entities – by 18%-20.8%. ANRE director general Victor Parlicov said the preferential tariff for household users who consume less than 30 cubic meters a month was maintained for social reasons. This group of consumers will continue to be subsidized by other categories of users, but the cross subsidization practice will be gradually removed and the tariffs will be set depending on the real costs incurred in the distribution process. Asked if the gas tariffs may decrease in the first quarter of next year, Victor Parlicov said he cannot say because the new contract for the supply of gas has not been yet negotiated with Gazprom. He also said that the rise in the gas tariff will lead to an increase in the heat charges. The new heat tariffs will be announced in two weeks. Pentru Chiriac, a representative of trade unions, said talks are carried out with the Government over the subsidization of the underprivileged groups of people. “The rise in the gas tariff and the expected increase in the heat charges will make almost all the people vulnerable, including those who have a stable salary, not only the pensioners and disabled persons,” said Petru Chiriac The measures agreed with the executive will be announced on October 7.