“Mr. IDP, You Will Appear At the Court…”

Saba Tsitsikashvili, Gori

Energo-Pro Georgia has not collected the bills in the Khurvaleti new settlement for more than two months. On January 7, Christmas Day, the electricity supply was cut off in the settlement. Despite the punishment, IDPs from Big and Small Liakhvi Gorges cannot pay the bills. They complain of unbearable conditions.

On March 31, red papers with warning messages were distributed in Khurvaleti settlement. The IDPs were told they would face some problems unless they pay the electricity bills. IDPs residing in Khurvaleti joke about the Energo-Pro Georgia. “What are they threatening us with? What will scare us? We have nothing to lose and what will they take from us to cover our debts?”

The red letter of the Energo-Pro Georgia to IDP Nodar Khaduri living in Khurvaleti starts with the words. “Mr. Subscriber.”

Subscriber: Nodar Khaduri
Address: Cottage # 133, Khurvaleti, Gori
March 31, 2010

“We would like to inform you that by March 20, 2010 you have accumulated the debt of 527, 84 GEL to the Energo-Pro Georgia. We kindly request you to cover the abovementioned debt before April 20. Otherwise, the JSC Energo-Pro Georgia will appeal to the court. We kindly inform you that if the court starts discussion of the case, you will have to pay additional fees for the court. In addition to that, if you do not pay the bill within the estimated time, in accordance to the Article 10 of the rules on supplying the electricity, issued on September 18, 2008 by the National Commission of Energy and Water-Supply Regulation, JSC Energo-Pro Georgia has right to impose a deposit over the subscriber,” stated the letter of the energy distribution company.

Marina Bezhashvili’s family sheltered their relatives for some time because it was impossible for them to live in the frozen cottage. Several other families did the same. Two days ago, governor of Khurvaleti village Soso Khuroshvili gave the apple-trees from his garden to the IDPs.

“The governor Khuroshvili came and offered us to pull out trees for fire-wood from his fruit-garden; each family could take one apple-tree. You should have seen how we rushed there; we started to pull out the trees like we lived in the 1920s when communists seized lands from wealthy peasants and distributed them to people. It is shame to put people in similar conditions but we have no way out. We marked our trees and pulled them out. Each cottage received one tree. I took that small tree,” said Marina Bezhashvili’s husband. They have returned from Kakheti lately where they sheltered their relatives for some time.

Soso Khuroshvili said he did it because of generosity. “It is not connected with the upcoming elections. Last year, when the settlement was built in the village, I gave one sack of wheat to each family to feed their poultry. I always help IDPs when they need something. As for the apple-trees, I have a fruit-garden with the total space of one hectare and 25 meters. The trees were 35-years-old and were to be removed. I told IDPs to pull the trees out and use them for fire-wood. I have very good relation with them; we support each other. If I need their help, they also help me. Now I am going to plant corns in the empty field. My action is not connected with the elections. Just imagine, I had to hire workers to pull out the apple-trees. IDPs will use the trees in their families,” said Soso Khuroshvili. He has not decided yet to take part in the local municipality elections or not.