In its session this Tuesday, the provincial Senate approved the bill that contemplates granting a subsidy of the basic amount billed for consumption to the electricity rate of 50% in favor of local universities.
The initiative will apply to the National Technological University (UTN) based in the Province of Entre Ríos, and to the National University of Entre Ríos (UNER).
The bill, authored by Senator Martín Oliva and his peers from the opposition Peronist bloc, provides for the granting of a 50% electricity rate subsidy in favor of Public Universities based in the province of Entre Ríos until December 31, 2024.
The systematized data showed the senators an analysis of electricity consumption of the UTN Concordia, Concepción del Uruguay and Paraná, and of the UNER of the entire province.
The Autonomous University of Entre Ríos (Uader) It is not included in the standard because it is a university funded by the provincial government.
An important point of the bill is that Only what is inherent to fixed charges and consumption would be subsidized. of rates, but not national and municipal taxes.
The text authorizes the Provincial Executive Branch to make the modifications and budgetary allocations necessary to guarantee the benefit. Another agreed modification that would be added is the invitation in a similar attitude to municipal governments where UTN and UNER have residences.
Now the Chamber of Deputies must deal with it for its final sanction, and then it would go to the Executive for its promulgation and regulation.
Less than 2% of the budget
Senator Oliva highlighted the consensus achieved with the ruling party and mentioned that the contribution represents less than 2% of the provincial budget allocated to energy subsidies.
“The significant increase in the electricity rate is one of the variables that most impacts the operation of Entre Ríos universities that are defunded due to the lack of budget updates. We are not just talking about an economic equation but about taking care of our young Entre Ríos students. “We trust in the support of the deputies who will now have to debate this law,” said the senator.
The rule establishes a bonus equivalent to 50% of the basic amount billed for consumption (bimonthly fixed charge and variable charge for energy), before the application of taxes and contributions. It will apply from July to December.
Municipalities that have UTN and UNER residences are also invited to establish similar measures.
READ MORE: Senate: they promote reduction of energy bills for public universities
University attendance
The senators of the Together for Change bloc supported the initiative, responding to the defense of public education, since they argued that it is about investment and not expenses related to Universities.
In the arguments for drafting the project, it was taken into account that the Universities must face the new electricity tariff schedule in an unfavorable financial position, given that they have a devalued budget.
It is worth remembering in this sense that in the previous meeting of the Commission, representatives of the National University of Entre Ríos (UNER), the National Technological University (UTN) and the Autonomous University of Entre Ríos (UADER) were presenting their realities.
