Govt move to put RAI tax on electric bill incurs wrath

(ANSA) - Rome, November 21 - The economy ministry said Friday the government's plan to include Italy's public TV viewing tax in electric bills under its 2015 budget will cut down on the high rate of evasion.
    All Italians who own a TV set are required to pay the tax, which goes to support RAI public broadcaster along with government subsidies. Under planned government reform, the tax would amount to an average of 60 euros a year per household, among the lowest in Europe, the economy ministry said in a simulation ANSA was able to preview Friday.
    The idea of including the tax on electric bills was denounced as "barbaric" and "illegal" by Federconsumatori and Adusbef consumer groups.
    Meanwhile the opposition separatist Northern League said the tax should be abolished altogether and Energy Authority chief Guido Bortoni said the move might be "improper".
    "It would be difficult to apply," he said.