Through the brutal tariff hike carried out by the National Government, headed by Javier Mileithousands of working families They were economically affected since it meant an increase of up to 300% in electrical service at home, factories and/or businesses.. In this context, The province of La Rioja stands out for not applying the new tariff schedule to preserve the workers’ pocketsas a decision of the governor Ricardo Quintela.
Notably lThe electricity rates in La Rioja are segmented into categories N1, N2, N3 and commercial. Compared to other provinces, it is observed that EDELAR, the state electricity company in the province, offers considerably lower rates than other companies.
Taking the consumption made during the month of February, March and April in category N2, made up of low-income families and which has a consumption limit in subsidies of 350 kilowatts at a value of 25 thousand pesos per mega, taking as a reference value a consumption of 1500 km/h-monthin the company EDES (South of the province of Buenos Aires) has a turnover of $183,000 and EDELAR of $15,723.
If this same period is taken, in the category N3which includes middle class families and which is charged $25,200 pesos per mega and has a limit of 250 subsidized kilowatts, and also taking as a reference a consumption of 1500 km/h – month The company EDES charges $275,483 and EDELAR $17,941.
Regarding the N1 category, high income, EDES has a turnover of $230,560 and EDELAR $78,905, while in the Commercial category, with a consumption of 3000 KWH per month, it could be seen that the company EDESE (Santiago del Estero) invoices $682,818 and the company EDELAR $107,769.
At this point it is important to remember that In April of this year, Governor Ricardo Quintela, and after President Javier Milei and his Minister of Economy, Luis Caputo, decided to increase the electricity ratemade the political decision to roll back the measure, leaving without effect – through a decree – the increase in the electricity bill throughout the province.
Quintela’s decision
In communication with El Destape Radiothe Rioja president mentioned, among other things, some of the most harmful measures of the National Government in relation to the removal of subsidies in services: “They devalued 120%, they tripled the value of fuel, they paralyzed public works, they froze salaries, the second energy tariff is coming, it is monstrous. That is, they took away our transportation tariff, all negative for society”.
Along these lines, he assured that, Although rates increased equally in all provincesin La Rioja They decided not to apply the new tariff schedule for “a matter of common sense.” “If I apply that tariff schedule, the first and now the second, obviously there are farms that would have to stop producing, they would directly close. There are industries that already, with the measures that Milei is taking, left the province and they left 350 fewer jobs in our province. If I applied that tariff schedule, surely many more would leave the province of La Rioja or their factories would close.”he added.
“When we elect a president, a governor, a mayor, why do we elect him? So that he generates adequate living conditions for us, I say, I am not saying that they improve, but at least adequate ones, and that allow Argentina to be liveable. “In this case it is becoming an unlivable country for Argentines.”the governor reflected bluntly.
