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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 2013-14 Budget having regard to the uncertain external economic outlook and the continued risk of rising inflation.
Starting from July 1, a new round of 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 today (June 23) that the new subsidy, together with the subsidies provided under similar schemes in 2008, 2011 and 2012, can be used for the purpose of offsetting the billed charges for electricity consumed under the account. Any unused credit can be carried forward to cover billed electricity charges under the same account until June 30, 2016, or the close of the account, whichever is earlier.
The credit of the subsidy will be reflected in the electricity bills for residential accounts with the two electricity companies. 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 7, 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/Sunday, June 23, 2013
Issued at HKT 11:00
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