KS Government Approves Heating and Water Price Hikes in the Same Month, Price Adjustments for KJKP Rad and Pokop to Follow

(Patria) - In the past month, the KS Government has approved price increases for heating and water, with further price hikes announced for waste collection services by KJKP Rad and services provided by Pokop.

Interestingly, the decision to increase heating prices was made at a session at the end of May, when the heating season had already concluded. Starting June 1st, bills from KJKP Toplane-Sarajevo will be 3.98% higher.

The KS Government approved the water price increase at a session held on June 25th, with implementation starting July 1st.

The price of VIK services has not changed since 2013, and it is clear that there was a need to revise the price list. However, approving price increases for both heating and water in the same month, along with all other price hikes and rising costs, represents a blow to the pockets of KS citizens.

According to this adjustment, the service price for citizens in the Household category, for the majority of users consuming between 5-30m3, will be 1.66 KM per m3 instead of the previous 1.25 KM per m3, as well as the fixed part of the price, which was previously 2.00 KM and will now be 3.26 KM. The new price list will apply from 01.07.2025. Most households will see a monthly increase of 6 KM.

"The increase in water prices is a politically brave but necessary decision that has been postponed for years. We did not accept the independent body's proposal for an increase of over 67%, as it would have been socially insensitive. The decision we made balances the needs of the system with the protection of citizens. We expect the ViK company to urgently improve the quality of its services, increase efficiency, and justify the trust of the citizens. Water must be accessible, but also safe, which requires responsible management and investments that can no longer be avoided," said the Prime Minister of Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk.

It hasn't been long since Uk stated on a TV appearance on May 9th that gym prices had increased, so water prices must too. Consequently, following the decision to increase water prices, it appears that gym prices will be adjusted again.

The public utility sector in KS is on the verge of collapse. It is no secret that these companies have been and remain prey for party-affiliated employment. Once, it was KJKP Gras, which had a deficit of hundreds of millions of KM, and VIK, Toplane, and KJKP Rad could face a similar fate if this attitude from the authorities continues.

The 'Trojka' coalition's appointees have not distinguished themselves, neither as directors of these companies nor as relevant ministers. The epidemic of leptospirosis, due to the failure to carry out systematic and legal deratization three times, has become the pinnacle of the Sarajevo Canton government's work and neglect of citizens.

Numerous trade unions are also increasingly dissatisfied, warning this government that they will receive an adequate response at the elections. However, they must endure until the 2026 elections.

(A. Vrabac)