Uzbek Committee adopts measure to prevent unfounded charging debt for gas

The committee said that it received complaints from population on gas supplying companies and unfounded charge of debts for consumed gas for failure of conducting inspection of gas meters.

According to the clause 37 of the regulation on order of purchase, installation and exploitation of gas meters at flats and individual houses, approved by the Uzbek Government, the gas supplier should inform consumer on period and term of technical inspection of gas meters.

In line with order of Uztransgas from 28 December 2009, the supplier should inform consumer on end of term of gas meter within seven days in written form and within five days after notification should take off meter and hand over to consumer to carry out inspection.

But, in practice the gas suppliers did not notify consumers on inspection of meters and charged debts for gas consumption on average price (without meter) for failure to inspect gas meter in set period.

The committee said that Uztransgaz divisions violated article 16 of the law “On natural monopolies” for charging consumer for consumed gas on higher prices and violation of dominating position in the market, as well as solicitation of terms, which were not envisaged in agreement.

The committee opened the case against Toshkentgastaminot and order it to stop to violate legislation on competition and natural monopolies, charge consumers with fines, ensure to inform consumers on inspection of gas meters in line with the set rules, stop charge debt to consumers for consumed gas on average price without notification of consumer on necessity of inspection of gas meters.

The committee also ordered Uztransgaz and Tashkentgaztaminot to prevent violation of legislation on competition and natural monopolies in future and continue to charge debt to consumers without foundation.