OREANDA-NEWS. November 09, 2012. “Gorteploset” Kursk Municipal Unitary Enterprise paid over six million Rubles to the federal budget as a fine for violating the antimonopoly law, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia. 

On 10th October 2012, Kursk Regional Arbitration Court dismissed the claim of “Gorteploset” Kursk Municipal Unitary Enterprise on invalidating the determination of the Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Kursk Region (Kursk OFAS Russia), according to which the municipal enterprise had been fined for violating the antimonopoly law.

Kursk OFAS Russia exposed the violation in June 2011, investigating a case upon complaints from residents of a multi-apartment house that “Gorteploset” Municipal Unitary Enterprise set excessive scope and costs of heat supply services.

Having investigated the case, the FAS Commission concluded that “Gorteploset” Municipal Unitary Enterprise used unlawful procedures for calculating the volume and costs of heat supply services rendered to all residential houses in Kursk, where the house heat energy metering device was not installed or was not used (in total – over 1000 houses). Kursk OFAS Russia issued a mandatory determination to “Gorteploset” Kursk Municipal Unitary Enterprise, according to which the monopolist must recalculate the volume of services offered to consumers.

During a long period “Gorteploset” Kursk Municipal Unitary Enterprise was challenging the decision and determination of OFAS Russia and a definition to impose the fine through judicial procedures. However, Kursk Regional Arbitration Court upheld the multi-million sanction.

“To execute our determination, “Gorteploset” Kursk Municipal Unitary Enterprise is recalculating the volume and costs of heat supply services rendered by the company. No later than 2nd December 2012, the corrected bills must be sent to all persons who suffered from monopolistic actions of the company. If the company fails to execute the determination within the designated period, Kursk OFAS Russia will undertake adequate administrative measures”, commented the Head of Kursk OFAS Russia, Yuri Komov.