'A Pensioner Received Energy Bill of $1000!'

It's time to boycott the state mafia.

Belarusians, labeled by decree of Lukashenka as "parasites", have started receiving increased utility bills.

In the new version there is a column with tariffs, allegedly providing "full cost recovery". Maria Tarasenko, a housewife from Homel, says she would have to pay 100 rubles more this month because of "parasite tariffs". And the biggest price increase is for water heating - 5.3 times (from Br5.65 in January to Br48.19 in February).

The most surprising thing is that along with higher utility bills for "parasites" many "employed Belarusians" began to receive bills with astronomical figures. For example, a resident of Mahilyou received the utility bill of almost Br900, the major expenses belong to water supply.

Charter97.org learned that the director and public activist Volha Mikalaichyk also had such a "surprise" in her mailbox: despite her status as a creative worker exempting her from "parasite tariffs", the owner of the house in Minsk has to pay 600 rubles for allegedly "garbage disposal".

Journalists asked Volha Mikalaichyk to comment on the situation around surprisingly big figures in utility bills of Belarusians.

- How did it happen that the housing and utility service sent you the bill of $300?

- Yes, I was surprised and outraged. I am registered in BAJ, I work as a film director and my participation in creative unions do not give a ground to label me as a "parasite".

Second, I live in a private sector and I don't have any utilities but water and electricity. And then I receive a "letter of happiness" from the housing and utility service of the Pershamaiski district saying that I owe 600 rubles for "garbage disposal".

I was surprised. I didn't sign any agreement on garbage disposal. I called them and asked them to "open their eyes" and justify these figures. I was promised to "get into the matter" and after a while, the bill worth 648 rubles was received.

So I just decided to sue them. They don't have a contract they can rely on to reason such prices. I think that they just want to evict me, as an opposition activist, from my house - almost in the center of Minsk, of 85 square meters and with my own land plot. Then to sell my house at auction, and make me move somewhere in Smaliavichy. "After all, Lukashenka has recently talked about the eviction of Minsk citizens to fellow towns ...

- And how could you explain increased utility bills received not only by opposition members and the unemployed, according to Decree No. 3, but by ordinary people?

- You know, the power has become blunt. The mafia from the housing and utilities sector, soapy headed and unscrupulous developers cooperate with the authorities.

I know cases much more egregious than mine. A pensioner I know has received the energy bill of $1000!

She lives in the private sector near Akrestsina Street. Apparently, some developer likes this tidbit of Minsk. All the debt for utilities, accumulated in the district, was shifted to some residents of the private sector. The whole district owes for the light, while pensioners were made "scapegoats" because a developer needs to get the land of zero balance for utilities services. It's not the mafia, is it?!

The authorities think that pensioners are not aware of what is happening and will not be able to defend themselves. And the debt of the entire district for utilities is taken from their pensions, 40-50% out of these miserable sums of money, which is barely enough for life. My friend, Anna, decided take a stand and she was put in a "mental hospital". That's how they work.

At the same time, I'm sure, seniors at the state "trough", all this Drazdy public, residents of elite houses next to Lukashenka pay utilities at a reduced fare.

It testifies how much the state neglects its citizens, a Belarusian worker, who is dared to be labeled as a "parasite"...

- Speaking of "parasites." About 500 thousand people start receiving utility bills under increased tariffs for housing and communal services. What is your advice?

- First of all, don't rush into paying anything. First, let the authorities answer why utility charges are so high. What is a reason for such tariff rates? Where is transparency? Don't we already pay much more than 100% of "economically justified tariffs"?

Second, to sue en masse. Of course, courts will take the side of the authorities. But we simply need to bombard them with "parasite" lawsuits, to paralyze and obstruct the system.

Third, don't pay. But not to pay intentionally. To gather and declare a boycott of this state-municipal mafia. After all, they are simply stealing from citizens. Not only by charging utilities. Where is our "social state" Lukashenka has been talking about for 25 years? Where is really free medicine? Where is free education, without any fees? There is nothing. Therefore, there is only one way out - not to pay. To boycott.

And people realize it is useless to argue with this power. They just need to remove from the country. And the story of my rubbish is indicative: I do not need to take it away, because they are the rubbish on the sidelines of history.

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