OREANDA-NEWS. December 20, 2010. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) initiated a case against the Government of the Astrakhan region upon the signs of violating Part 1 Article 15 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The constituent territories of the Russian Federation procure motor vehicles and refuse collection and street-cleaning equipment using the funds from the federal budget in accordance with the List approved by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Russian Federation.

The Arkhangelsk Government compiled its list of motor vehicles and refuse collection and street-cleaning equipment to be procure for the needs of the region without taking into account equivalent equipment included in the List the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of the Russian Federation.

FAS Russia believes that selecting motor vehicles and refuse collection and street-cleaning equipment without taking equivalents into consideration prevents companies from taking part in procurement organized by local self-government bodies for municipal needs.

Part 1 Article 15 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition” prohibits the authorities to pass acts and exercise actions (omissions) that lead or can lead to preventing, restricting or eliminating competition.

The case is scheduled on 27th January 2011.