Econ. Min. forbids power outages to Polish State Railways

Economy Minister Janusz Steinhoff instructed energy distribution plants on Friday not to cut off power to Polish State Railways (PKP) anymore. During the last few days, some energy plants, among others those located in Elblag, Poznan and Lodz cut off the power to PKP in response to overdue electricity bills. According to Steinhoff such actions are negative from both a social and economic point of view. Moreover lack of power on international route Swiecko-Poznan-Warsaw-Terespol, destroys the credibility of Poland internationally. The Treasury Ministry, which is the owner of energy distribution plants, is to send a letter forbidding plants to cut the power to PKP in the future. The amount of PKP's overdue charges to distributors increased from the end of 1999, from zl. 4 million up to zl. 180 million. (Gazeta Wyborcza, Aug 19-20, page 1, Prawo i Gospodarka, page 3, Reuters)