The Government pledges to provide financial compensations to the underprivileged categories of population for the expenses sustained as a result of the recent increases in electricity tariffs. The consumers supplied by the distribution networks from the northern part of the country, RED-Nord and RED-Nord-Vest, will receive financial compensations of 18 lei, and the consumers serviced by the “Union Fenosa” Company – 10.8 lei. PM Vasile Tarlev told today a news conference that the Government doesn’t support the decision to increase the price of electric power, as the population is experiencing a severe drought. Financial compensations totalling 9.5 million lei per month will be covered by the Government’s Reserve Fund. Their payment will start in September and will last until the end of the year. 13 underprivileged categories are to benefit from compensations. The National Agency for Energy Regulation (ANRE) yesterday announced price hikes for electricity – of 23% for the consumers serviced by Union Fenosa, and of 44% for the consumers from the northern part of the country. The new tariffs will be applied after they are published in the Official Gazette of Moldova.