Water, electricity and gas have been FREE of charge in Turkmenistan began in 1993 to 2017.
In 1993 then President of Turkmenistan, Saparmurat Niyazov ordered free water, electricity and gas to all its residents. It happened shortly after the energy-rich, desert-bound country in Central Asia gained independence from the Soviet Union. Notably, Turkmenistan is among countries having largest natural gas reserves in the world. The Government subsidies offered each citizen free monthly allowances of 35 kilowatt hours of electricity, 50 cubic meters of gas and 250 liters of water every day. Turkmenistan, under the Communist Party President Saparmurat Niyazov, used to boast about the free water, electricity and gas to all its citizens. However, reports say the virtual freedom for media, human rights and religion is limited in Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan giving free water, electricity and gas over the years put its financial sector at risk. The nation was struggling to cope up with the fall in energy prices since 2014 and other factors. The later President of Turkmenistan, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov openly criticized his country’s policy of giving away free energy and water to citizens. He called it “ineffective” and suggested assistance should be provided only to the people in need. In October 2017 he signed a law obliging citizens of Turkmenistan to pay for gas, electricity, and water. New tariff plans will be introduced gradually, according to it. An article on Reuters website reuters.com reports Turkmens face 25-fold rise in water price as state starts scrapping subsidies.