Citizens Against High Cost of Living expressed concern over the recent increase in fuel prices implemented by the government today in the framework of it’s to oppress the people.
The civil society group said in a statement that the timing of the increase is wrong and opens the way for a tough expensive wave to costs of living on the poor and lower middle class.
Today’s decision reaffirms the absence of any political sense within the government and regime. It contributes to a wave of anger from the hard working classes, which are very reluctant to the burdens imposed by the government as part of the economic reform, the group said.
The decision issued this morning ends with the backtracking on the President’s decisions to increase the ration allocations, which were supposed to support the poor.
Egypt’s government on Thursday increased gasoline and diesel prices, in the second fuel hike since the currency was floated in November and the latest cut in state subsidies.
Vice Minister of Finance for Fiscal Policies Ahmed Kouchouk said Thursday that price increase to fuel will make the government save between LE35- LE40 million.
“The budget has achieved an initial surplus of LE11 billion, which is an important step to reduce debt, and the government is taking into account social protection program, for which a package of measures has been issued at a cost of LE85 billion,” he said.
Chaos hit microbus (the popular semi-official transportation) stations this morning shortly after the decision was issued. Several microbus drivers went on strike, after altercations with passengers who refused the increased fare until it’s announced by the government.
Police forces have been reportedly on inspection campaigns on microbus station to retain order. Security source told al-Masry al-Youm that municipalities are the party who should set the fare for each district of its own.
