OREANDA-NEWS. November 12, 2012. The “Urals Heat Network Company” OJSC (“UTSK” OJSC) paid the fines imposed by the Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Tyumen Region (Tyumen OFAS Russia) for violating Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” (abusing dominance), reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

“UTSK” OJSC had the dominant position on the market for supplying heating energy within the boundaries of Tyumen. The Commission of Tyumen OFAS Russia established that the company had violated the pricing procedures established by the Rules for providing utility services to physical persons in payments settlements for heat energy supplied to end-consumers. The company also refused to seal collective heat energy metering devices, referring to faulty meters. At the same time, specialists of “UTSK” OJSC failed to submit documents confirming impossibility to operate heat energy metering devices.

OFAS imposed administrative fines upon “UTSK” OJSC – 20,630,730 Rubles for violating pricing procedures and 562,500 Rubles for avoiding duly drawing an act of refusing to accept heat energy meters.

The “Urals Heat Network Company” OJSC disagreed with the antimonopoly body and filed a lawsuit to Tyumen Regional Arbitration Court. However, the Court pronounced legitimacy of holding the company administratively liable, although one of the fines was reduced from 20,630,730 Rubles to 650,000 Rubles.

“UTSK” OJSC paid both fines within the period specified by Tyumen OFAS Russia.