The population seems to have accepted the elimination of the propane gas subsidy, says El Siglo newspaper. Propane gas distributors stopped accepting coupons causing the price to consumers to increase from RD$10 a gallon to RD$15.33. The distributors aren’t taking the coupons because they say the government is in arrears with them. Other distributors are being investigated by the government for having declared more sales with coupons than their propane gas purchases. El Caribe reports that the director of the National Department of Investigations (DNI) says the fraud could reach RD$150 million. National Controller Lalane Jose said that four distributors showed irregularities of more than RD$25 million each, thus the government decision to stop the coupon program and investigate the operations of all propane distributors. The government recently announced the discontinuation of the electricity subsidy to private generator companies. El Siglo newspaper says that the propane and electricity subsidies together cost the government RD$2,200 million during the past six months.
