Kyrgyz Lawmaker Urges Lower Electricity Tariffs for Mosques

From Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan – A call has been made within the Jogorku Kenesh (Kyrgyz Parliament) to reconsider the electricity tariffs applied to mosques. Member of Parliament Meder Chotonov raised this issue during a parliamentary session, highlighting what he perceives as an inequity in charging non-profit religious institutions commercial rates.

Chotonov stated that mosques currently pay commercial electricity tariffs, a rate typically applied to businesses that generate profit. He argued that since mosques do not operate for financial gain, they should not be subjected to these higher rates. The proposal suggests that mosques should be billed at the same tariff as residential consumers, reflecting their non-commercial nature.

This initiative, brought forth by Chotonov, reflects a concern for the financial burdens placed on religious organizations within Kyrgyzstan. The sentiment is that such institutions, which serve a community and non-profit function, deserve a more favorable tariff structure. The discussion points to a broader conversation about how public utilities and pricing structures interact with non-profit and religious entities in the country.

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They don't earn money. Therefore, people are raising the issue that mosques should pay the tariff that the population pays.