Social media websites have caught on with angry comments on the Egyptian government's decision to increase electricity prices by 19.1% starting from next July, as part of the government's plan to reduce electricity subsidies that began since 2015.

The reduction in electricity subsidies was part of a series of austerity measures that the government decided on the basis of a plan from the International Monetary Fund in exchange for its agreement to provide a loan in 2016 of 12 billion dollars.

According to Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker, in a press conference held today, Tuesday, the value of kilowatts will increase from 30 to 38 piasters per segment that consumes up to 50 kilowatts per month, from 40 to 48 per following segment (51-100 kilowatts) and from 50 to 65 piasters per segment. The third (up to 200 kilowatts per month), from 82 to 96 for the fourth tranche (up to 350 kilowatts per month) and from 100 to 118 piasters for the fifth tranche (up to 650 kilowatts per month).

The government increased electricity prices last year by about 21%, which sparked outrage on the communication sites, because the prices increased by 40% within two years, in addition to continuing to collect additional fees on the electricity bill bearing the name "cleaning fees" despite the fact that the state does not With little effort in this area.

Many commentators expressed their surprise at the issuance of the decision to increase this time, as everyone suffers from the spread of the Corona virus and its repercussions of unemployment and livelihood, especially among people who suffer more than a third of poverty, according to local data and international reports talk about more than this percentage.

Other commentators were surprised that the decision to increase this - which was previously justified repeatedly by the rise in oil prices - came despite the fact that its prices were at their lowest level for months and were not expected to rise soon.

A special greeting from the people Mr. Sayed to the
Minister of Raising the Prices of # Electricity
More than one is implementing the President's plan for economic reform! # Five_love pic.twitter.com/5rgmeNJ8G5

Five in Egypt (@egy_five) June 9, 2020

"A world without blood" .. Journalist Mohammed Jamal Arafa criticizes the decision to increase the prices of electricity slides by 19.1% in light of the difficult living conditions during the crisis # Corona pic.twitter.com/betr8OfGtS

- Monitoring Network (@RassdNewsN) June 9, 2020

# Electricity is the
first reaction of the Egyptian people to increasing electricity prices pic.twitter.com/rmj197wIF3

- Ehab Gamal (@ ehab2gamal) June 9, 2020

It was good because I feel that the people of today are a country whose economic state is thriving. You must raise the prices, because we are a slanderous and wasteful people, and you, as a government, are afraid of us. Thank you, and may God protect you all in the refrigerator of the dead sooner rather than later. # Electricity

- Ibn Hamido (@ 0reKwMMQuOU4PLV) June 9, 2020

People are trapped in mud, silent and enduring the calamities that have befallen every home and every source of livelihood for the Egyptians, and the Minister of Electricity informs us of increasing the consumption of electricity, so long as the country is full of mourning that keeps raising the hammers of gasoline, raise my shaker

- LORD QADRY // 3K (@h_shoor) June 9, 2020