PL goes to court on the utility tariffs

Opposition utilities spokesman Joe Mizzi has filed a judicial letter to contest the decisions of the Malta Resources Authority over the water and electricity tariffs.

Mr Mizzi in a statement expressed doubts over the way the MRA had acted in justifying the increases announced a week ago.

"More than being a regulator, the MRA acted like a rubber stamp in raising the bills when oil prices have gone down," Mr Mizzi said.

Mr Mizzi pointed out that other court action he took against the MRA and the Fair Trading Department are still pending.

Labour leader Joseph Muscat said yesterday that Enemalta's requests to the MRA were inflated by at least €5 million.

He pointed out that in November 6, the government had said it needed to collect €74.2 million from the bills, but the request to the MRA was for €79.2 million.

The MRA had then reduced Enemalta's request by €5 million.

The letter was signed by Dr Justyne Caruana.