Ankara’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) mayor Mansur Yavaş has announced that students will see a 50 percent cut in water fees in the Turkish capital.
Yavaş is delivering on a promise he made during his campaign ahead of the March 31 local elections, which saw him defeat ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate Mehmet Özhaseki, marking the first time in 25 years that the CHP has won the mayoral seat in Turkey’s capital, opposition newspaper Sözcü reported on Saturday.
The decision to slash students’ water bills was approved by Metropolitan Municipal Council, Sözcü said.
To qualify for the discounted rates, students must not be employed by public or private sectors, nor be residing with their family. They must present their student I.D. to the Ankara Water Works (ASKİ) each year and hold an active account with ASKİ, Yavaş noted.
CHP has accused the ruling AKP of copying their proposals, including reduced water bills and discounted student transport in Turkey’s largest city of Istanbul, which is preparing for a mayoral revote this month, following a contested victory by the main opposition CHP.
