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Russia limits rises in key state-regulated tariffs
MOSCOW, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Russia will keep increases in state-regulated tariffs in 2002 below a previously planned maximum of 35 percent, Trade and Economic Development Minister German Greff said on Thursday.
Tariff liberalisation is part of plans to restructure the natural monopolies -- the railways, gas giant Gazprom and national power grid UES -- but the government is fighting inflation, which was well above target last year.
"The government has made a decision to more strictly limit tariff increases, even in comparison with the decision taken earlier that established a 35 percent limit," Greff told journalists after a government meeting.
Big industrial consumers whose operations will become more costly with increases have also called for more limited hikes.
Greff said the rise in electricity tariffs to households over the year would be an average of 17.9 percent.
Transmission fees for UES were already raised by 20.2 percent from January 1 and from March 1 prices for electricity on the federal wholesale market will rise by 20 percent.
Freight tariffs for the railways from February 15 will be raised by 16 percent, after having been put off from January due to concerns about inflation.
Gas tariffs will be increased by 20 percent from March 1 and Greff noted they could be "corrected" upward after the company presents its budget for 2002.
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