The Iraqi government said Tuesday (August 14th) it will exempt Iraqi citizens from paying electricity and water bills until all power plant installation operations are completed and services are provided 24 hours a day.

"The decision was made after a review of the Iraqi economy and annual per capita income," Salam al-Quraishi, Iraqi government's economic advisor, told Al-Shorfa. "Collection of electricity and water bills has been suspended until all services are provided in full and around the clock."

"The government also decided to permanently exempt families with monthly income of less than 500,000 Iraqi dinars ($429)," he said.

Al-Quraishi said the decision will not affect the current electricity supply rate in the country, which ranges between eight and 12 hours a day.