Gov't official on tariffs in public utilities sector
RosBusinessConsulting. Friday, Apr. 30, 2004, 5:14 PM Moscow Time
The head of the Federal Agency for Construction and Public Utilities, Vladimir Averchenko does not back the idea of imposing higher tariffs, he told journalists in Moscow. According to him, authorities and public utilities should take into account the interests of customers when imposing new tariffs. "I hope market players will understand that higher tariffs harm them, as they spur instability and uncertainty," he stressed. He also emphasized that the state should protect poor citizens by paying social benefits. According to Averchenko, private companies should be allowed to participate in reforming public utilities. On the other side, he believes that there are several facilities that should not be privatized.
Federal construction agency needs funds
RosBusinessConsulting. Friday, Apr. 30, 2004, 5:10 PM Moscow Time
The Federal Agency for Construction and Public Utilities submitted a proposal to the government to spend 17bn rubles (about $588.57m) from the state budget on the program for resettlement of people from old and hazardous housing in 2005. Agency head Vladimir Averchenko made a corresponding statement at today's press conference. According to him, it is ten times more than it was planned to spend in 2004. According to Averchenko, at present, some 40m Russian citizens live in poor housing conditions and old and hazardous housing amounts to 88m square meters. |
