The Socialist group on the Chisinau Municipal Council suggest raising the cold-month allowances for the inhabitants of the municipality of Chisinau given the expected rises in gas tariffs, IPN reports.

Socialist councilor Alexandr Odintsov told a news conference that the gas prices at international level go up, while the agreement for the supply of natural gas to the Republic of Moldova hasn’t been yet signed. In such conditions, “Moldovagaz” already asked the National Agency for Energy Regulation to increase the gas tariffs for consumers by 35-40%.

The Socialist said the price of gas represents about 80% of the heat tariff. Consequently, together with the rise in gas tariffs, the costs of “Termoelectrica” associated with heat production will evidently rise and the heat tariffs will also be raised.

In connection with this, the Socialist group suggests that the Government should agree the methodology and identify budget funds for compensating an eventual rise in heat tariffs, while Parliament should earmark state budget funds for the purpose.

Alexandr Odintsov said that about 25,000 persons in Chisinau need cold-month allowances.