NEWS | Wednesday, 05 November 2008

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10,000 consumers still awaiting their Lm25 eco-friendly rebate

Raphael Vassallo
The Resources and Rural Affairs (MRRA) Ministry has confirmed that 45,000 applications for VAT rebates on energy savig households have been processed, while another 10,000 individuals are still awaiting their Lm25 (€58) rebates under a scheme launched in Budget 2008.
Touted as a “green measure”, the VAT rebate scheme was intended to promote eco-friendly products and was to be co-funded by the European Union. However, it was peremptorily suspended in June.
Last week, the irate owner of a washing machine bought before June called this newspaper to complain that he had yet to receive his rebate. But when he enquired with the ministry, he was told over the phone that “the funds had run out.”
A ministry official confirmed with this newspaper that several of applications for rebates had yet to be processed, and the cheques to be issued; but the ministry denied that there were any problems funding the scheme.
“We have received 45,000 applications for the energy efficient appliances. Of these 35,000 have been processed, and passed for payment or queries raised. The remaining 10,000 are being processed.”
The ministry denied that funding was the problem, but confirmed that the project was not co-funded by the EU, as described in Budget 2008.
“Only local funds were used,” the MRRA spokesman said.

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