Cabildo Abierto did not sign the call for the session, although there would be an agreement in the Uruguayan Parliament to validate the project.
He Parliament of Uruguay will discuss this Wednesday the bill that proposes the elimination of taxes on bottled water, as one of the measures that the government took to face the water crisis that cross Montevideo and the metropolitan area of the country, within the framework of the declaration of water emergency announced this Monday by President Luis Lacalle Pou.
The Executive sent the initiative in the last hours and it is expected that it will first be voted on in the Senate and then in Deputies. Although there would be a consensus for its approval, to gather the signatures that would give the text the character of “urgent”, the ruling party had to resort to the opposition, since from Cabildo Abierto (CA) they did not agree, which drew attention as it is a fundamental tool to combat a serious situation, which could lead to Montevideo running out of drinking water in the next few hours.
According to reports, article 1 of the bill contemplates Exonerate mineral waters and sodas from VAT “until the date of completion of the declaration of water emergency”. In addition, it contemplates “a VAT refund regime included in local purchases and imports of goods and services intended to directly and indirectly integrate the cost of the goods included in the aforementioned disposals.”
The measure is part of Lacalle Pou’s announcements to combat the water crisis. After decreeing the water emergency, the Executive explained that with this initiative it aims to “reduce the price for final consumption of mineral waters and sodas”. In justifying this situation, the government recognized “the limitation of access to running water for many of its usual uses, which the water crisis has caused.”
A new disagreement between the government and Cabildo Abierto
Within the framework of the ruling party, a new chapter was unleashed in the internal one, since Cabildo Abierto refused to sign the text so that the project is dealt with “urgently” in Parliament. Thus, after not achieving 50 votes, in the ruling coalition they had to add rubrics from the Broad Front (FA).
According to private messages that came to light, Deputy Martín Sodano (CA) warned that “The lack of communication with the Executive Power is notorious” and questioned: “Knowing that they could take these measures, you should have warned something.” Finally, he finished off with a strong message to the inmate: “There is a difference between partners and slaves.”
Bottled water sales increased by an average of 224%
If the sales of the last month are compared with those of the same period last year, it can be seen that there was a average year-over-year increase of 224% compared to the previous year in Montevideo and Canelones, according to a survey by the company Scanntech.
In the study, it was shown that, in the midst of a water emergency, bottles of still water increased their sales 467%, well above average. Meanwhile, drums increased by 217% and sparkling water experienced an increase of 105%.
Source: Ambito
