Utilities tariffs in Kuzbass increased: complaints of residents and the response of the authorities

Since October 1, utility tariffs have increased in Kuzbass. According to the REC, the growth ranged from 14.1% to 21.9% depending on the municipality. People write that payments increased by 20-26%, and salaries remained the same.

Against this backdrop, prices for everything from bread to gasoline continue to climb. Residents’ outrage resulted in hundreds of comments under the post of Governor Ilya Seredyuk.

The rent is higher than in Moscow

One of the most common complaints is the unfairness of tariffs. Residents compare Kuzbass to Moscow and other regions, where they believe prices are lower and wages are higher.

“Why do they raise fees in Kuzbass, tariffs for utilities the most in the country, by 20-26%?” Higher than in Moscow and other regions! The mines are closing, all out of work. Kuzbass is the poorest region! We, the population of Kuzbass, even with today's prices and tariffs can not cope, all in debt and loans.

Another resident, Anna, wonders: “Why in Kuzbass so expensive rent?” We do not have Moscow salaries, but rents have risen higher than theirs.”.

Authorities' response: "Prices are free"

These claims were answered by the Ministry of Industry of Kuzbass. In an official comment, the ministry explained that prices for goods and services in Russia are not subject to state regulation, are free and are formed by sellers based on supply and demand. A rise in prices that does not exceed the level of inflation is not a violation. In case of detection of unjustified growth, information is sent to the FAS and the Prosecutor’s Office.

“The issue of unjustified price growth is within the competence of FAS Russia”, – stated in the response.

However, people were not satisfied with this answer. In this case, how would you explain the 100% increase in the cost of transporting one coal machine in 2025? Was this excess apparently justified if the information was not sent to the prosecutor's office? I asked the governor not only about sugar, salt, bread, but also about utility tariffs, about the endless increase in gasoline prices. I regard your answer as a mockery.”.

“Salary is reduced, how to survive?”

The rise in prices has hit public sector workers particularly hard. Svetlana E. writes: “Very interested in the issue of salaries of state employees, in particular doctors. Payment for housing and communal services has already increased a hundred times, food, travel - everything has risen in price, and wages have been reduced. How do we survive? There has been no indexation for three years, although it is expected to increase every year.”.

People note that the rise in tariffs comes amid business closures and job cuts. In Kiselevsk, Prokopyevsk, Anzhero-Sudzhensk, people are left without work, and prices continue to rise.

There is no work, housing and utilities fees are increased disproportionately, water is such that you can not wash, flooding, schools, medicine - everything is in ruins! They dug everything up, and now coal is not needed, and people are no longer needed! – emotionally writes Svetlana P.

Tariffs have gone up and quality has gone down

A separate pain is a mismatch between the price and quality of services. Residents of Belovo complain of rusty water with the smell of rotten, which flows from the taps. In Kemerovo - for the lack of heating with properly working meters. In Leninsk-Kuznetsky - on emergency houses and poor-quality overhaul.

“When will the terrible water supply stop in Belovo? Water colored brew with the smell of rotten. All summer and still poison the people, and also utilities increase. When will this horror stop for our own money? – writes a resident of Kuzbass in social networks.

Economists note that the situation in Kuzbass is typical for single-industry towns with a raw material economy. When the coal industry is in crisis, the region’s budget is under-revenue and social obligations are rising. The authorities are forced to raise tariffs to cover the costs of resource supplying organizations.

Many Kuzbass residents complain about the need to take loans to pay for communal housing, some save on food and medicine.

Whether there will be a tariff overhaul or additional support measures is unknown. While residents continue to write complaints, and the authorities respond that prices are free, and unreasonable growth is a matter of FAS.