Volgograd Region: number of signatures to petition against increase of utility tariffs exceeds 2000

Russian authorities must stop the uncontrolled growth of utility tariffs in the Volgograd Region, as local residents have nowhere to cut costs. This was stated by the author and signatories to the petition posted on the Internet and addressed to Russian President and Prime Minister. Earlier, the Governor received 40 appeals from municipal deputies who asked to increase the tariffs in 2017 by 9.8%.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the authorities of the Volgograd Region adopted the 2017 budget by rejecting the amendments that offered to increase expenses on children's catering, subsidizing social public transport fares and maintenance of social institutions.

Kseniya Kulchenko, the author of the petition posted on the "Change.org" platform, writes that the utility tariffs in the region grow much faster than salaries and pensions.

Since the New Year, Volgograd has higher public transport fares, payments for kindergarten services and housing fees, but salaries have not increased, said Olga Frolova, a nurse from Volgograd.

The measure "will not affect low-income families, as they will receive subsidies for housing and utility services," the website of the City Duma quoted Andrei Kosolapov, the Volgograd Mayor.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.