Sergei Puzyrevsky, Deputy Head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation (FAS), said that the control over the growth of tariffs for housing and communal services in Russia will be strengthened, the unreasonable increase in food prices, and the uniform rules for the regulation of natural monopolies will be strengthened. To be adopted The official said this in an interview with the newspaper. “News”.
Puzyrevsky noted that in an environment where online sales volume is increasing every year, there is a gap in the anti-monopoly regulation of the sizable infrastructure digital monopolies in the country. In this regard, the fifth antimonopoly package was introduced in Russia, which corresponds to the civil rules in force almost all over the world. He stressed that now more and more antitrust investigations are being conducted in the country regarding the activities of digital services.
The official said that since 2022, the number of complaints about overpricing of food has increased. In April and May, the increase in prices was recorded throughout the country. The highest rates were grown for fruit and vegetable products (onions, beets, carrots, cabbage, potatoes), sugar, rice, salt, tea, military uniforms, baby food, and soap. Puzyrevsky described the reason for this in several cases as “the unfair, speculative behavior of market participants with regard to consumers.”
That’s why, according to the official, the FAS has developed a bill to combat speculative price increases. Accordingly, if the price increases by more than 30% in a short time, the FAS will check its economic feasibility on behalf of the government and stop the unfair behavior of the market participants. Puzyrevsky noted that this bill could be submitted to the State Duma in September.
The deputy head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service said that at the moment there is a draft law of the ministry on setting tariffs for natural monopolies according to universal rules, which will regulate uniform general principles, goals and methods, the composition of costs to be included in tariffs, general corrections. The requirements for the tariff setting procedure are supported by sectoral ministries. He also noted that significant success has been achieved in coordinating the bill with business representatives.
Puzyrevsky stressed that this draft law could solve many problems regarding the economic feasibility of tariffs. It can be used to bring digitalisation, especially in tariff regulation, which is currently at a very low level. According to the official, this will make the cost structure of regulated entities more transparent.
Earlier, it was reported that the Federal Antimonopoly Service of Russia (FAS) published Vitaly Vantsev, co-owner of Vnukovo Airport. warning by 40% in connection with his announcement of a possible increase in airfares for international flights.
former Central Bank declaration about a possible increase in key rate.