New step in austerity measures: Purified tap water instead of bottled water in the Turkish Parliament

With the public austerity package published in the Official Gazette and entering into force, new steps are being taken for austerity in the TBMM as well.

Numan Kurtulmuş, who was elected Speaker of the Parliament 1 year ago, had issued an austerity directive after taking office. In line with this, new practices will be activated by the TBMM General Secretariat.

With the vehicle transformation practice initiated in the Parliament last year, 20 Togg brand electric vehicles were purchased, and the same number of gasoline vehicles were removed from the system; a 66.7 percent saving was achieved through this method. Work is ongoing to convert all service vehicles to electric vehicles in the new period.

GOAL: COMPLETE ELIMINATION OF PAPER USE

"Paperless parliament" With the project launched 1 year ago with the goal of, a 60 percent saving in paper use was achieved. It is aimed to completely eliminate paper use in the coming period.

The pilot application in the "energy transformation" project started 4 months ago. In this context, renewable energy use was implemented in many units on the Parliament campus. With this application, the electricity for the Public Relations Building, greenhouse, and printing house is provided by solar energy. With the new project prepared, it is aimed to meet all of the Parliament's electricity from renewable energy in a short time.

Within the scope of energy saving practices, all lighting on the campus was also converted to LED lamps, and a 50 percent energy saving was achieved.

A "simple menu" practice was initiated at receptions and events held in the Parliament. The practice will be continued at all future events.

The project regarding the new library and exhibition building has been suspended.

A project has been launched to make the online control system for health expenditures more effective. The health provision system, which is currently only carried out with private hospitals, will be expanded to state and university hospitals, and the online invoice control system will be used effectively. A 25 percent saving in health expenditures is targeted through this method.

LIMITATIONS ON OVERSEAS ASSIGNMENTS WILL CONTINUE

The practice of limiting overseas assignments, except for mandatory programs, will continue more effectively. New personnel will not be hired unless mandatory.

TAP WATER WILL BE PURIFIED INSTEAD OF BOTTLED WATER

With the austerity practices initiated in the Parliament 1 year ago, irrigation of green areas on the campus is carried out at night to prevent unnecessary water use. The removal of bottled water use in kitchens and tea rooms has also begun. Instead, water obtained through the purification of tap water has started to be used. Work to expand this method is ongoing.

On the other hand, the TBMM General Secretariat has finalized the circular work regarding the new austerity practices. The circular will be sent to all units in the Parliament shortly.

News Source: AA