TASHKENT –The tariffs for electricity, water and heating in Uzbekistan were raised 8.8%, 10% and 18%, respectively April 1, for companies and people, Finance Ministry press statement said April 1.

If anyone has utility debts for previous months, they can pay them with old tariffs till April 10, the Ministry said. It did not give an explanation for the rate increases.

In addition, public transportation fees were raised 20% April 1. The Ministry of Transportation attributed it to the increasing cost of petrol and spare parts.

Utility rates were last raised in October 2010 and transportation fees were increased last April.