PENSIONERS ASK GOVT. TO PREVENT AUTOMATIC COLLECTION OF BILLS FROM THEIR INCOMES

ZAGREB, Feb 15 (Hina) - The Croatian Party of Pensioners (HSU) on Tuesday asked the Croatian Government to issue a decree which will make it impossible for public utilities, Power Industry (HEP) or the Croatian Radio and Television (HRT) to collect money for bills and fees automatically from accounts on which retirees receive their pensions. Rudolf Mazuran, the President of the HSU, told reporters that many pensioners were complaining that bills for electricity, gas, water or TV subscriptions were paid automatically through the Croatian Institute for Pension Insurance (HZMO), from the income they receive on the accounts. Mazuran maintained that such way of collection of money had neither moral nor legislative justification, as it is only pensioners who have the right and responsibility to have free use of their income. He reiterated that average pensions had been burdened with over 33 percent for costs of public utilities and other service, and it is the limit which should not be passed, as the existence of pensioners will be threatened, he explained. Mazuran added that retirees had not signed documents which can allow public utilities companies to take directly money from pensioners' income. Therefore such bill must not be automatically collected. He stressed that pensioners were most correct and accurate in settling their financial obligations. (hina) ms