理顺公用事业价格

Core Viewpoint - The recent draft of the Price Law Amendment emphasizes the importance of a scientific pricing mechanism for public utilities to ensure stable revenue and efficient resource allocation [1][3]. Group 1: Current Issues in Public Utility Pricing - Public utility prices, such as water and public transport, are often kept at low levels, failing to reflect resource scarcity and sometimes not covering costs, which affects service quality and sustainability [2][3]. - Reliance on government subsidies for public utility operations obscures issues like cost control and efficiency, leading to a lack of motivation for companies to improve service quality [2][3]. - The widespread implementation of tiered pricing systems has not effectively promoted resource conservation, as high coverage in the first tier diminishes the intended impact of these mechanisms [2][3]. Group 2: Recommendations for Improvement - There is a need to streamline public utility pricing and centralize some pricing management authority to enhance efficiency and effectiveness [3][4]. - Establishing a clear boundary between government and market subsidies, along with a dynamic adjustment mechanism for prices and subsidies, is essential for maintaining affordability of basic public services [4]. - Enhancing transparency in pricing policies and involving stakeholders in the pricing process can improve public trust and the effectiveness of pricing strategies [4].