The Council of Ministers met yesterday under the chairmanship of President Nicos Anastasiades. The following decisions were taken. The estimated cost amounts to €25 million and covers 449,000 households, 111,500 businesses as well as water pumping consumption and the subsidy will cover residential, commercial, industrial and water users for water supply and/or irrigation and/or rainwater pumping of bimonthly tariffs.
In total, to date, targeted measures and interventions amounting to €600 million have been taken.
- The Council of Ministers approved the granting of financial support, within the framework of the Minor Aid Scheme for Addressing Problems of Irrigation Sections, to the "Acriades" Arakapa and "Linos" Oras Irrigation Sections, for a total amount of €126,885, to support vulnerable groups of the population, households, enterprises as well as the agri-food sector to address inflationary pressures.
- The Council of Ministers approved the granting of financial support, under the Minor Aid Scheme for Addressing Problems of Irrigation Sections, to the "Acriades" Arakapa and "Linos" Oras Irrigation Sections, for a total amount of €126,885. With regard to the year 2022, the competent Committee approved the granting of de minimis aid, totalling €200,000, to 12 Irrigation Departments that had submitted a fully completed application by 31/10/2021, in accordance with the conditions of the Plan.
- The Government, recognising that production costs have increased significantly due to very large increases in electricity, fuel and fertiliser costs, decided to authorise the payment of exceptional State aid for the citrus cultivation sector, up to a maximum total amount of €0.5 million, for the purpose of supporting the agricultural sector in view of the problems it is facing as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It is noted that the total amount per beneficiary will be offset against any debts owed by beneficiaries to the state.
- The Council of Ministers, recognising that the salaries of employees in the public and wider public sector are being restored from 1.1.2023, approved the full reinstatement of the Commonwealth pension allowance to 2013 levels from 1.1.2023. It should be noted that, the Council of Ministers by Resolution no. 18.10.2022, approved the granting, as of 1.1.2023, without retroactive effect, of a monthly and 13th pension allowance to the Commune Chiefs of the occupied Communities, equal to 50% of the pension allowance received by the Government for the former Commune Chiefs of the Communities in the free areas, provided that they are over 60 years of age, have served at least 30 months in the office of Commune Chief and are not in active service.
- The Council of Ministers also decided to grant additional support to the financial assistance granted to Farmers' Organisations in recognition of their important role in supporting farmers to participate in various programmes.
- The Council of Ministers approved the granting of financial assistance to the Cyprus Third Age Observatory in the amount of €20,000. It is noted that the Union of Cyprus Pensioners' Association (EKYSY) P.E.O., the Association for the Welfare of Pensioners S.E.K. and the Organization of Senior Citizens in the Third Age Body received financial assistance from the State in the amount of €20,000 by a decision of the Council of Ministers dated. 22/03/2022, while a similar decision was taken by the Council of Ministers on 15/11/2022 for the Pensioners' Branch of PASYDY.
(PM/MG/EXP)
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