CHP's Dinçer calls for regulation of fuel prices

At a press conference held in Parliament, Dinçer criticized the June inflation figures announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) as well as the increases in electricity and fuel prices.

Stating that worker and civil servant retirees were looking to the inflation figures to be announced by TÜİK, Dinçer said that the announced figures were below expectations and that 4 million retirees would not receive a raise.

Claiming that electricity and fuel price hikes were postponed to July to keep inflation figures appearing low, Dinçer said the following:

"There are over 2.5 million tradespeople and artisans in Turkey. We also have over 1 million medium and large-scale enterprises. A large portion of these people unfortunately use electricity. Electricity is one of the most important primary cost items. The 38 percent hike in electricity, especially with the rise in temperatures during the summer months, has unfortunately put tradespeople and artisans in great distress. Tradespeople working in industry have reached a point where they cannot produce.

All businesses working in the manufacturing sector in our country use fuel. It is thought that things will get cheaper as fuel and electricity prices are raised. Every hike made is reflected as a price increase. At the same time, it is one of the leading expense items that fuels inflation. The public does not deserve such a large hike. A regulation is absolutely necessary for fuel price hikes. Specifically, the Special Consumption Tax (ÖTV) should be removed from the fuel used by artisans who produce, vehicles in the transportation sector that engage in trade, and farmers who produce."(AA)

News Source: 12punto