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Electricity charges subsidy for residential accounts to begin in July
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     A maximum subsidy of $1,800 will be provided to each eligible residential electricity account from July this year. The subsidy is one of the relief measures announced by the Financial Secretary in the 2011-12 Budget to alleviate the burden of inflation on the public.

     Starting from July 1, a monthly subsidy of $150 will be credited to each residential account with CLP Power Hong Kong Ltd (CLP) or the Hongkong Electric Co Ltd (HK Electric) in existence on the first day of each month for 12 consecutive months.

     A Government spokesman said that the credit can be used for the purpose of offsetting the billed charges for electricity consumed under the same account. Any unused credit can be carried forward to cover electricity charges under the same account until August 31, 2014, or the close of the account, whichever is earlier.

     Electricity bills for residential accounts with the two electricity companies to be issued in July this year will reflect the first credit of the subsidy. Users may contact CLP's Customer Service Hotline on 2678 2678 or HK Electric's Customer Service Hotline on 2887 3411 for enquiries on account matters. Enquiries on the subsidy scheme can be made to the Financial Services and the Treasury Bureau (the Treasury Branch) on 2810 3824. More details on the scheme can be found at www.fstb.gov.hk.

     On June 10, the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council approved the provision of a maximum additional subsidy of $1,800 to each eligible residential electricity account. This one-off measure will involve Government expenditure of about $4.5 billion. Some 2.5 million households will benefit.

Ends/Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 11:03

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