(Cabinet press office) Addressing
the sitting of the Cabinet of Ministers Prime Minister of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych
noted that since first days of the coalition Government’s activity much
attention had been paid to improving the situation caused by repeated increase
of tariffs by the previous Cabinet last year.
For
this purpose, the commission chaired by First Vice Prime Minister Mykola Azarov
and Vice Prime Minister of Housing and Communal Services Volodymyr Rybak has
been established.
Besides,
the special groups of the Cabinet of Ministers and Office of Public Prosecutor
of Ukraine launched thorough investigation of the situation in the capital and
regions concerning legitimacy of housing and communal tariffs increase for the
population.
According
to the results of inspections, there are many significant violations committed
by the representatives of local authorities and communal enterprises which have
practically robbed the citizens by fixing economically groundless tariffs,
illegal overstating several times more heat, energy, water consumption etc.
The
Head of Government cited as an example some cities of Ukraine – in particular, Odesa
where the officials of the “Odesaoblenergo” energy supply company spent funds,
assigned for purchase of new equipment for heating systems totaling 43 million
UAH, for buying securities and Uzhgorod where the local officials included the
representative costs into the tariffs.
The
Prime Minister proposed the Office of Public Prosecutor to continue inspections
on legitimacy of tariff increase throughout Ukraine. Chargeable officials are
commissioned to prepare for consideration of this issue at the nearest sitting
of the Cabinet of Ministers.
“The
officials charged with violations against the citizens must answer back. We
will bring criminal case against them and some criminal cases have been already
brought. And lawbreakers, undoubtedly, will take on a liability. We will bring
strong order disregarding the party flags”, Viktor Yanukovych stressed.
The
Head of Government noted that the Cabinet of Ministers undertakes everything
required to protect the population of scanty means – in particular, due to
significant increase in granting subsidies and sections of citizens who can
profit by it.
