OREANDA-NEWS. September 30, 2011. The Office of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in the Penza Region (Penza OFAS Russia) found that “Housing and Communal Services” Municipal Unitary Enterprise” Ltd. (Nizhnij Lomov) violated Part 1 Article 10 of the Federal Law “On Protection of Competition”, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The case was initiated upon a petition of “Brigantina” Ltd. that provides services for managing apartment blocks in Nizhnij Lomov. “Brigantina” Ltd. stated that “Housing and Communal Services” Municipal Unitary Enterprise” Ltd. fixed unreasonably high rates for solid household waste disposal for 2011: from 1st January 2011 the rates for collecting and transporting solid household waste were increased for legal entities – by 14.8%, for physical persons – by 11.5%.

The Commission of Penza OFAS Russia established that the rates had not been increased due to changes of the costs of “Housing and Communal Services” Ltd. OFAS compared the rates for solid household waste disposal in Nizhnij Lomov and in Penza and found that the rates in Nizhnij Lomov were considerably higher. For instance, legal entities pay 294.01 RUB for collection and transportation of solid household waste in Nizhnij Lomov, and from 90 RUB to 170 RUB in Penza.

Penza OFAS Russia found that “Housing and Communal Services” Municipal Unitary Enterprise” Ltd. violated the antimonopoly law and issued a determination to stop the violation.

“The decision was made towards protecting the interests of wide circle of consumers, including citizens, which undoubtedly emphasises it social importance”, pointed out the Head of Penza OFAS Russia Olga Atyukova.