Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Brussels clears PC scheme
The European Commission has decided that the PC @ 99 Cents A Day scheme, an incentive by the government to increase the number of computers in households, did not discriminate against other businesses.
Brian Simpson, a British Socialist MEP, argued in the European Parliament last May that the scheme did not respect EU laws and was discriminatory.
He said that while the scheme stated that the government would refund each household that purchased computing equipment from a recognised hardware reseller through a subsidy of 16 per cent, this did not apply to those who decided to purchase a computer from other EU member states. He cited an example of a Maltese resident who was told that he would not be entitled to a refund if the equipment was bought from the UK.
According to the British MEP, the Maltese authorities had told the resident in question that the scheme was only open to applicants purchasing PCs from Malta.
Following an investigation by the Commission on Mr Simpson's allegations, Brussels said that as this was only a one-off' time-barred offer it was not discriminatory against other businesses in the EU.
European Commission vice president Günter Verheugen said the measure consisted of providing financial assistance to households buying computer equipment from a Maltese retailer between February 18 and July 6. "As this scheme is no longer in force and was just a one-off offer, the Commission does not intend to investigate the case further," he said.
According to the government, over 6,000 households bought computers at the discounted rate offered through this scheme.
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A. Agius
Sep 13th 2008, 14:38
Since all my colleagues have availed themselves of the 99c a day PC offer like i did, & all of us got refunded 5 weeks ago, I wonder about the authenticity of the negative comments being thrown into the wind.
J Farrugia
Sep 13th 2008, 13:18
The arrogance of certain maltesers. The government introduces a scheme for locals and this typical arrogant Malteser wants to buy it from the uk or wherever in EU. Arrogance with a capital A. Mr Government please take this a a lesson: never introduce anything which favours our arrogant citizens, because as the saying goes "minn sebghek johdulek idejk". Leave us as backward as possible like Mintoff did. Has anyone heard of any subsides schemes being run at the moment in some EU country, so that I may avail myself of its benefits??? Any elves please answer my question? Any arrogant citizen please anwer my question?
L Galea
Sep 13th 2008, 11:59
Speaking of refunds,
when are we going to get the 10 energy-savers that were promised before the election?
p.s.
Washing powder manufacturers are giving away two energy-savers with a packet of washing powder, yet it seems that the Government cannot afford to keep its promises.
Joseph Mizzi
Sep 13th 2008, 11:28
Adrian
The General Elections are four and a half years away ... so ... let me see ... ok, it will be time to change your computer again when the refund arrives :)
Adrian Cardona
Sep 13th 2008, 11:21
and when will we start getting the refunds I wonder?
Joseph Galea
Sep 13th 2008, 10:52
It's unbelievable that the EU would waste time on such trivialities. As for the Maltese resident who seems to have raised this matter - he should get a life and move on.
L Galea
Sep 13th 2008, 10:17
If our politicians protected our interests as foreign politicians protect their citizens interests we would be in the seventh heaven