We refer to the article “$45m in utilities rebates for 800,000 households” (Straits Times, Oct 1).

$45 can pay 2 months’ bills?

It states that “Families living in housing board flats will receive rebates from $45 if they live in executive flats, to $65 for those in one- and two-room flats.

The amount covers about three to four months of utilities bills on average for families in one- and two-room flats, and up to two months of utilities bills on average for those in three- or four-room flats.”

– Don’t you find that there appears to be something wrong with the above?

How can $65 be able to cover 3 to 4 months of utilities for smaller flats, and $45 can cover up to 2 months for larger flats?

Remove water conservation tax

Instead of just once off utilities rebates, why not remove the 30% water conservation tax altogether, since it serves no purpose in “water conservation”, other than revenue for the Government.

Such a tax on an essential basic goods and services is not justifiable, when the Budget surplus for FY2012 was $36.1 billion, using IMF fiscal reporting guidelines.

S Y Lee and Leong Sze Hian

P.S. Come with your family and friends to the 5th Return Our CPF protest on 25 October 4 pm at Speakers’ Corner https://www.facebook.com/events/446619505476438/