OREANDA-NEWS. April 03, 2008. In course of a scheduled inspection of the market of networked natural gas in the Kaluga region, the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) initiated a case against "Kalugaoblgaz" OJSC for violating Part 1 Article 10 the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" in the reconciliation procedures for using gas as a fuel, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

Reconciliation is necessary to obtain permission to use the gas as a fuel. In its turn, it forms the grounds for designing appropriate gas-using equipment, and it is necessary to obtain technical specifications for connecting to the gas-distribution network.

FAS Russia established that the company charged the consumers for the reconciliation procedures required to use the natural gas as a fuel by the consumers and exercised such reconciliation for the gas-using units and equipment. However, in accordance with the Governmental Resolution "On the Procedures for Establishing the Type of Fuel for the Business Enterprises and Fuel-Consuming Plants" and a joint order of the Ministry of Economic Development, the Ministry of Energy and "Gazprom" OJSC, they do not need to obtain special permissions.

FAS Russia considers that "Kalugaoblgaz" OJSC violated he antimonopoly legislation by infringing the rights of consumers of natural gas.

The case hearing is scheduled for 21st April 2008.