The Ministry of Social Protection will receive 292.4 million lei from the Government’s Reserve Fund to cover on-bill subsidies granted to household consumers for February and March following an increase in heating rates. This was decided at the latest meeting of the governmental Commission for Emergencies, IPN reports.

The funds will then be transferred to the utilities Termoelectrica (266.9 million lei) and CET-Nord (25.3 million).

The decision also extends to households served by non-public service utilities and closed distribution suppliers. Additionally, beneficiaries will include public housing tenants.

Further, consumers with overdue gas bills shall be relieved of penalties and surcharges.

Also on Saturday, the Commission authorized the transmission to Termoelectrica of 16,295 tonnes of fuel oil offered by Romania in humanitarian aid. The fuel will be used to produce electricity and heat.