L.Gantumur wanted electricity
to be free during certain hours of the night so that heating ger districts at
night would lead to less pollution. This will require use of advanced techniques
and technology but he was confident Mongolian engineers would prove capable of
this. The Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy has been asked to make a detailed
study of the possible impact of free electricity at night.


D.Enkhbat said the proposed monthly cash allowance should be used to upgrade
the electricity sector. He wanted some tangible benefit for people from the
country’s coal, the source of energy. He also felt the present system, which ultimately
leads to ger district residents subsidizing electricity and heating expenses of
apartments, must end. All the MNT805 billion should be spent to provide ger
districts with adequate electricity and heating.


Minister of Justice Ts.Nyamdorj said only “totalitarian methods can reduce the
smoke in Ulaanbaatar”. A strict ban has to be imposed on use of firewood and
coal in Ulaanbaatar and this will never be possible “if we talk about democracy
and human rights”. The Government will keep on spending billions of MNT to
reduce the smoke without result.