The Jamaica Public Service Company has put in an application to the Office of Utilities Regulation asking for a rate increase of some 23 per cent. Based on the extremely high cost of living which we citizens are currently experiencing, along with the recent increase in the gasolene tax which was implemented by the Government, under no circumstances should the OUR grant an increase to JPS at this time.

Further, I do not think that an electricity-rate increase is valid at this time. The JPS is already making a huge profit on a yearly basis and they should be content with that amount of profit at this time.

Economic crisis

If the Government were to grant a rate increase in electricity bills at this time it would plunge the country into a huge economic crisis and inflation would spiral out of control and chaos would erupt all over the island.

This country urgently needs a proper and workable energy policy which will save the country precious foreign exchange and reduce the country's oil bill.

I am, etc.,

BASIL S. LYN

Montego Bay