OREANDA-NEWS. October 05, 2009. President Victor Yushchenko sent a letter to Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko in which he expressed concerns about preparation of the state to winter heating season, reported the press-centre of president.gov.ua.

The President explained that this state of affairs is caused by the following reasons.

Firstly. The budgetary policy led to failure of organization of the heating season. The 2009 Budget provided 18.9% less spending on housing and communal services than in 2008. But even these insufficient funds are delayed.

Second, the Government allowed a significant deterioration of discipline in payment for the consumed natural gas.

The level of payments by heating facilities is 52.8%. These enterprises have been increasing their gas consumption debt with unprecedented rate and NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine does not have the the ability to provide them with their natural gas without payment further.

Thirdly. The Government introduced a system of unreasonable rates. In violation of the legislation the Government promises to provide money from the budget to support the populist rates. The rule to bring the tariffs to economically substantiated rates is ignored. Also no proper work with the heads of local communities was conducted, resulting in reimbursement rates for the consumed gas remaining low.

In this regard the President demanded to take appropriate steps that would solve a number of financial problems related to gas consumption in the shortest possible time.