| Barnaul. The programme of the YABLOKO party "Let's
Put the Monopolists on the Meter" is being realised in the city.
The project will cover 25 regions representing different climate zones
in Russia. A network of public control committees defending citizens'
rights in areas where monopolists dominate (the housing and utilities
sector, electricity and communications) will be developed. The committees
will monitor human rights violations in the provision of housing and utilities
services, provide legal support to the public and encourage the public
to oppose the arbitrary rule of monopolists and bureaucrats, encourage
an inflow of small businesses into the housing and utilities sector, as
well as a demonopolisation of the sector.
In particular, they will constantly monitor the quality of the housing
and utilities services (heating, energy and water supply, maintenance
of housing and adjacent territories) rendered to the population. In all
1,500 metres (in 1,500 apartments correspondingly) will be fixed all over
Russia. These 1,500 apartments will represent a representative group which
will make it possbile to demonstrate how much money all over the country
is being wasted, how much money is being distributed in the housing and
utilities sector and how much of this money is not being spent in line
with its actual designation.
The YABLOKO party states that in many regions citizens account for 80,
90 and even 100% of the utilities costs. It should also be noted that they pay
in accordance with rates that are several times overstated, rather than
the cost of the services that they actually consume.
Metres will be set in seven apartments in Barnaul. The cost of fixing
one metre amounts to about 3,500 roubles, reports the press service of
the regional branch of the YABLOKO party.
See also:
Housing
and Utilities Sector Reform
| 