The adjustment of prices for light, heat and water inevitably tops the agenda every December. The government has been trying to find the perfect balance between the interests of suppliers and the interests of consumers for many years now. Power engineering specialists are still under the impression that our houses are heated for free, but citizens, on the contrary, consider these prices to be mind-bogglingly high. Yesterday, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called on ministers to put an end to the long-running argument and charge only the amounts called for by special electric metres.
"We discuss tariff indexation rates every year," Mr Putin said while opening the government's meeting. "But, to put it bluntly, decisions are sometimes made haphazardly, without proper consideration, and they aren't always optimal for all the parties involved in the process."
The problem of the adjustment policy's quality and predictability is particularly critical in the regions, where some people have actually gone so far as to install the electric metres themselves in order to avoid paying additional expenses. In most cases, though, the leveling principle is used, where the average rate for a person is divided equally into 12 months. Mr Putin, being aware of this, suggested that the ministers revise the conceptual approaches to price adjustments.
"We must seek understandable and transparent tariff prescription policies to ensure that tariff rates are economically justified and not burdensome for the people and the economy," Mr Putin stressed. "All the bills should be based entirely on metre readings so that people won't be forced to pay for something they didn't even consume."
Another government ruling is directly connected with this matter. According to Mr Putin, a draft law has been prepared to oblige thermal power stations to create fuel stocks in advance to ensure proper operation in the autumn and winter. In other words, from now on, an inspection will be carried out each year to verify that power stations, transmission lines and heating lines are fully prepared for the cold season. "This work is being implemented right now, but a target law will make it systemic by defining the obligations and responsibilities of the state and businesses in ensuring a reliable supply of heat and electricity to consumers," Mr Putin explained.
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Gosuslugi in check
Yesterday, Mr Putin demanded control over electronic tenders and the provision of state services via the newly opened website gosuslugi.ru.
"As you may know, I have endorsed a list of products to be purchased for federal needs exclusively through electronic tenders," Mr Putin said. "The list includes 23 items: food products, printing materials, office furniture, cars, and more."
Apart from that, Mr Putin also indicated that for the time being, it would be necessary to continue providing state services online. Every agency has been given a tight schedule which must be strictly adhered to.
"We hope that the regions and municipalities will actively use the Internet to upgrade the quality of services they grant to the public, including through the centralised state services site, gosuslugi.ru," the Prime Minister said. "All people should have equal access to state and municipal services, regardless of where they live. They should get these services in the most convenient way possible and without any dilly-dallying or abuses of power."