Decisions on energy, the payroll of civil servants and the agricultural sector were taken on Tuesday by the Council of Ministers in a session chaired by the President of the Republic Nikos Anastasiadis, Deputy Government Spokesperson Niovi Parisinou said in a written statement.
As reported, the Council of Ministers approved the extension, for two additional months, of the measure that refers to the subsidy, by the State, of part of the cost of electricity consumption and, specifically, for the invoicing of the period January-February 2023, which concerns electricity consumption in the November-December period, with the estimated cost amounting to €25 million and covering 449,000 homes, 111,500 businesses as well as consumption for water pumping, adding that the subsidy will cover domestic, commercial, industrial users as well as users of water for the purpose of water supply and/or irrigation and/or rainwater pumping of bimonthly pricing.
It is added that in total, to date, targeted measures and interventions have been taken, amounting to approximately €600 million to support vulnerable groups of the population, households, businesses as well as the agricultural and livestock sector to deal with inflationary pressures.
< p>The Council of Ministers approved the granting of financial support, within the framework of the Minor Support Plan for Addressing Problems of Irrigation Departments, to the “Akriades” Arakapa and “Linos” Oras Irrigation Departments, in the total amount of €126,885, Ms. Parisinou continues, adding that in , regarding the year 2022, the competent Committee approved the grant of minor aid, totaling €200,000, to 12 Irrigation Departments that had submitted a fully completed application, until 31/10/2021, in accordance with the conditions of the Plan.
The Government, recognizing that the cost of production has increased significantly due to the very large increases in the cost of electricity, fuel and fertilizers decided to approve the payment of extraordinary state aid for the citrus growing sector, a maximum total amount of €0.5 million for support purposes of the agricultural sector, due to the problems it faces due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, is mentioned in this regard, while it is noted that the total amount that will arise per beneficiary will be set off against any debts owed by beneficiaries to the State.
< p>In addition, it is reported that the Council of Ministers, recognizing that the salaries of employees in the public and wider public sector are restored from 1.1.2023, approved the full restoration of the pension compensation of the community leaders to the levels of 2013, from 1.1.2023, while it is noted that the Council of Ministers with the Decision dated 18.10.2022, approved the granting, from 1.1.2023, without retroactive effect, of monthly and 13th retirement compensation to the Mayors of the occupied Communities, equal to 50% of the pension compensation received from the Government by the former Mayors of the Communities in the free areas , provided that they are over 60 years old, have served at least 30 months in the office of the Head of the Community and are not active.
Also, the Council of Ministers has decided on additional support in the financial assistance granted to Agricultural Organizations recognizing their important role in supporting farmers to participate in various programs.
Finally, in the written statement of Mrs. Parisinos, it is stated that the Council of Ministers approved the granting of financial assistance to the Cyprus Observatory for the Third Age, of €20,000, with the note that the Union of Cypriot Pensioners (EKYSY) P.E.O., the Pensioners Welfare Association S.E.K. and the Organization of Senior Citizens in the Agency for the Third Age received financial assistance from the State in the amount of €20,000 by decision of the Council of Ministers dated 22/03/2022, while at the same time a corresponding decision was taken by the Council of Ministers on 15/11/2022 for the PASYDY Pensioners Branch.
