Muslima Latypova: ‘If we raise tariffs, people won't be able to buy food’
Deputies about the Swiss referendum on the distribution of 2 500 euros, 10 kopecks for gas and the curve of Egorov
Another discussion on raising tariffs amid crisis arose in Tatarstan parliament. This time, the initiators were the gas companies that stated about the lack of funds for maintenance and repair of gas equipment. Deputies said that the crisis has exacerbated the situation in all spheres of business — public utilities, as well as retailers. Read more — in the report of Realnoe Vremya.
Stoves since 1974
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of PLC Gazprom transgaz Kazan Evgeny Prokopyev at the session of RT State Council Committee on economy, investments and entrepreneurship stated about the poor condition of gas industry as part of his unscheduled report. As it turned out, the speaker of RT State Council Farid Mukhametshin charged to speak about the issue of tariffs setting and the quality of services for gas equipment. According to Prokopyev, when performing maintenance violations of the requirements of the maintenance are revealed: improper maintenance of flues, use of expired equipment, unauthorized connection etc. For a year, Gazprom transgaz Kazan has replaced more than 30 000 units of depreciated equipment and has repaired 94 000.
According to the reporter, people can have the geysers produced in 1974, gas stoves – in 2011. But people are not going to repair it, said Prokopyev. 'That fact caused the discontent of a customer, because the expenses on replacement and additional repair will burden on him,' he said. Most pensioners can't afford to purchase a new equipment: it is estimated that 35% of gas stoves are to replace, about 52% of geysers, 15% of heating boilers. 'People think that all is to be replaced for them,' said the head of the committee Rafis Burganov. Deputies even recalled examples from their families, when the older generation refused to throw away stoves, geysers, which are nearly half a century.
Prokopyev cited statistics on Kazangorgaz: last year, he had to turn off 275 devices in Kazan on the results of the technical inspection, because the their operation was not possible. As Burganov noted, he often hears complaints that the tariffs are unprofitable.
'We must maintain both high-tech complex, and a simple stove'
Today, Tatarstan residents pay 4.8 rubles per a cubic meter of gas. These tariffs are approved by the State Committee on tariffs. At the same time, there is a household gas equipment, tariffs on service of which Gazprom transgaz Kazan set in accordance with the recommendations of the institute Giproniigaz. Tariffs are based on the cost of maintenance of external pipelines, internal pipelines and domestic gas appliances. The cost of emergency-dispatcher services is added, which is calculated with account of a number of gas appliances used by the owner.
As Prokopyev told, now in the Republic there are about 155 000 gas-fire boilers of new generation installed. Usually, they are serviced by the suppliers, but not Gazprom transgazKazan. These companies provide a full range of services: the service of not only gas appliances, but also heating systems and hot water supply. It would be difficult for Tatarstan gas companies, recognized Prokopyev.
'Tariff Committee limits us a little: we must maintain both high-tech complex and a simple stove. It seems like the Professor is not entitled to clean the territory when he is to give lectures,' he said. 'If there is a new brand in Russia, the specialists are not prepared?' amazed a deputy, the owner of retail chain Bekhetle Muslima Latypova. 'Ususally, we sign contracts with those who have already supplied,' said the representative of Gazprom.
'When we are in the Tariff Committee, everyone asks to increase the tariffs'
Burganov admitted that amid the crisis people live on a shoestring and any tariff raise should be explained. 'In winter, even 10 kopecks for gas – is an urgent issue,' – he said. Then the debate was joined by other deputies from the sphere of housing and communal services. The Director of MUE Vodokanal Andrey Egorov 'just for information' noted, that each sector has problems, including insufficiently high tariffs.
'When we are in the Tariff Committee with Marat Gadyevich [Galeev – the Deputy Chairperson of the Committee – editor's note], everyone asks to increase the tariffs. But the possibilities of the budget and of population do not allow to reconcile both sides. Yes, the depreciation of equipment takes place, but, unfortunately, like Switzerland, can't hold referendum on the issue: is it necessary to pay 2 500 euros or not,' tried to clear the air Burganov.
But Egorov continued talking about lack of financing and its consequences. 'As soon as we reduce expenditures on maintenance, the curve of accident rate goes up,' he said.
Muslima Latypova agreed with him. 'With tariffs increase people will have even more problems. They won't be able to afford to buy food. Where will they get money?' outraged the owner of the most expensive retail chains in Tatarstan. The deputies appreciated the irony.
Between the tariff increase and maintenance of the paying capacity of population there is a very fine line, you need to balance, said Burganov. It is not the first appeal to increase tariffs among the supporting industries. In last September, the parliament discussed the increase of tariffs for public transport.
Besides, the Executive Committee of Kazan states about the necessity to raise tariffs on road maintenance. Also, in the beginning of year, it have become known about increase of payment for kindergarten by more than 200 rubles (in average, to 2 270 rubles).