Gas prices in the housing of Ukraine before the end of this year may grow four times – this is due to the acceleration of the program to equalize prices for industry and households. Experts warn that a jump in prices will lead to an increase in non-payments, and in fact utility debts Ukrainians have exceeded $ 1.5 billion. Moreover, such a measure would inevitably lead to the failure of the authorities to the upcoming parliamentary elections.
On the possibility of a fourfold increase in the price of gas for the population by the end of 2014 the deputy head said on Wednesday “Naftogaz” Alexander Todiichuk. “It is possible that this year will be decided on the further rise in price of gas. There is even an option – I do not want to scare, but do not want to hide – that will set a single price for gas and for industry, and for the people “- warned Todiichuk.
Back in April, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a decree according to which tariffs for the population will rise to the level of “industrial”, but then assumed a gradual increase within three years.
Todiichuk noted that, according to sociological studies, the population in conditions of war are willing to pay for gas four times more, but only under the condition that these the money will go to the full development of the industry.
On Tuesday, the head of the Ministry of Energy and Coal Industry of Ukraine Yuriy Prodan said that his department proposes to increase rates for the population to market. But then it was only on the price of natural gas consumed in excess of standards. “This is an effective measure to save,” – said Prodan.
President of the Ukrainian Analytical Center Alexander Okhrimenko said “Gazeta.ru” that since November the people of Kiev, you may have to pay for utilities from 600 to 1000 UAH (1800-3000 rubles.). Now most of the residents of the Ukrainian capital pays for one-bedroom apartments of about 400 USD (1200 rub.) Per month, two-bedroom – from 500 UAH (1500 rub.), For the three-room – 700 UAH (2100 rub.). Since the beginning of the year the price of housing services in the country increased by 40-60%.
«Ukraine’s European choice made, and therefore must pay for utilities European” – says Ohrimenko.
Ukrainian expert in the field of energy Valentin Zemlyanskiy warns that if the gas tariffs for the population will grow four times simultaneously, utilities rise threefold.
In this case, the public reaction to the sharp rise in gas prices, according to Zemlyanski, difficult to predict. “In rural areas, this may mean giving people from the gas and go for firewood,” – said the expert.
By the way, as directed by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Yatsenyuk already promised Ukrainians who will be purchased to heat their homes boilers using coal and wood, to compensate for 20% of their value.
However, it should be borne in mind that a large part of the population of Ukraine does not pay for gas and the current price. The head of “Naftogaz” Andrew Kobolev Tuesday said that overall consumer debt for the company is about 40 billion USD (approximately $ 3.2 billion), with half the debt – a debt of enterprises of municipal power. Previously, “Naftogaz” has already introduced restrictions on the supply of fuel most inveterate defaulters.
Alexander Ohrimenko believes that there is a risk of growth of debt in the housing sector. “For this reason, the IMF (which insists on increasing utility tariffs in Ukraine) requires that the Ukrainian government to launch the mechanism of arrest and auction sales of apartments dodgers” – says the expert.
In this Ohrimenko notes that only 2.8% of owners and tenants receive subsidies to compensate for utility tariffs, and 80% of them – single pensioners.
«Because of the sharp increase in tariffs is possible payments crisis of the population for gas, which eventually could trigger a social explosion, “- said Valentin Zemlyansky. Social tensions that the Ukrainian authorities are now very disadvantageous, since October elections to the Verkhovna Rada.
«The decision to raise tariffs ultimately taken by the Government, and no government, taking such an unpopular decision, can not hold “- said the first vice-president of the Center for Political Technologies, Alexei Makarkin.
According to the analyst, in this case may be a game whose aim is, on the contrary, strengthen the ranking authorities before the election. “Now,” Naftogaz “declares the possible increase in gas prices quadrupled, and the government later this measure does not impose – says Makarkin. – However, it is possible that a certain increase in prices this year, Ukraine’s population still receive, but significantly less ».
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