OREANDA-NEWS. July 19, 2011. FAS organized a workshop in Ulan-Ude on antimonopoly enforcement; discussions focused mainly on electric power industry and heating supply, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

In 2010, around 55% of antimonopoly violations exposed by the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) were committed on those markets. Most of them were associated with abusing market dominance and breaching the rules for technological connection.

“Despite high-level regulations, provided for by the rules for non-discriminatory access, and the technical connection procedures, and wide opportunities for consumers, in terms of challenging unlawful actions of economic entities, as well as the antimonopoly bodies, in terms of holding the violators liable, monopolism has not “run out of steam”. At the same time, companies, holders of natural monopolies already understand importance of preventing antimonopoly violations, which to a considerable extend is due to heavy fines and consistent enforcement efforts of the antimonopoly bodies”, pointed out Deputy Head of FAS Russia, Anatoly Golomolzin.

Representatives of regional offices of FAS Russia in Siberian Federal District, judicial bodies, the authorities of the Republic of Buryatia took part in the workshop.

Deputy Chair of the Arbitration Court of the Republic of Buryatia, V. Botoyeva, made a presentation “Summary of Judicial Practice”. She emphasized good performance of Buryatia OFAS Russia and gave examples of court cases considered by the arbitration courts within the District, opened upon the lawsuits filed by the antimonopoly body.

“Overall the quoted statistical data comply with the FAS practice. For instance, in approximately 80-85% of all decisions challenged at courts the judgments are given in favour of the antimonopoly bodies”, said Anatoly Golomolzin.

Participants also discussed the issues of imposing administrative sanctions by the antimonopoly bodies, and the practice of applying the antimonopoly law with regard to the power bodies.