The government will open a program to provide discounts for electricity to families who live in the zone for improved air quality in Ulaanbaatar. The cabinet approved the discount at a regular meeting held last week.

This program will supposedly reduce electricity costs by 50 percent at night to families who meet specific criteria in contributing to the reduction of air pollution. The period will last from 6 p.m. to 9 a.m.

Families interested in the discount may apply to related organizations. To be eligible, the families must have electric meters and high quality appliances.

Government commissioned Minister of Finance S. Bayartsogt to deal with the money-related issues and investigate possibilities for compensation to energy producers. Government also tasked some ministers and mayor of Ulaanbaatar to report to the cabinet every June about plans for the reduction of air pollution.

An estimated MNT 2.5 billion will be necessary for this year's discount to 90,700 families, and MNT 5.9 billion for next year.