The price for gas is more than 132 dram

From February 26 the tariff for the gas limited for the population was established by the decision of the Commission on regulation of public services of the RА 132 dram for cubic meter, instead of 96 dram what caused a rough wave of discontent among the population. However, if to consider, that since the middle of 2007 gas consumers are obliged to pay also for maintenance service of household systems of gas consumption (for one unit – 2400 dram in a year, for two – 5700, for three and more – 6900 dram) it turns out, that in Armenia gas costs not 132 dram, and it is more.
Till the middle of 2005 service about 270 000 consumers was carried out by various organizations.
The decision of the Commission on the regulation of public services of the RА “About the principles of maintenance of safety of gas consumption systems” N14А, Joint-Stock Company “Armrusgasprom” for realization of works on service of gas consumption systems, was recognized by the contract party according to which the company undertakes to carry out these works either itself, or by means of other companies on a contractual basis.
According to the criteria coordinated with the Commission, “Armrusgasprom” gave these powers to Open Company “A&G” on the basis of the commission contract which carries out works on technical services of household gas consumption systems in the whole territory of the republic.
Why gas consumers are obliged to sign the agreement for using technical services of the household gas consumption systems, it is quite logical – for the sake of its safety and safety of associates, however the question why payment for this service is not included into the gas consumption tariff – torments all the 600 000 consumers.
According to the press-secretary of Joint-Stock Company “Armrusgasprom” Shushan Muradyan, the question is groundless, as the company “A&G”, rendering services, having more than 1000 employees, carries out the works demanding expenses which cannot be included in the tariff. As to an establishment of the size of payments, Shushan Muradyan advises to address this question to the Commission on the regulation of public services as the sum was defined by them.
According to the man who is responsible for the Commission press-services, the size of payments for services is established not casually, and the volume and the maintenance of the works presented by “Armrusgasprom” have been considered.
Actually, the price pays off not with the account of incomes of consumers, and taking into account working costs of the company, possibilities of the reception of reasonable profit and etc.
On that question why the technical service of the household gas consumption systems was entrusted to the company “A$G”, instead of another, Shushan Muradyan explains this choice by the resources, company experience, and quality of services. As she said, company “A$G” had been chosen not on a competitive basis, and they had addressed to this company.
Instead of complaining of the high rate of payment for service, the press-secretary of “Armrusgasprom” advises to clients to open the book of the agreement and to familiarize with the duties of the parties. He considers, that then many questions will clear up. All right, we will open the book. According to “the agreement on the technical service of the household gas consumption systems”, the employees of the company “A$G” are obliged to visit and carry out twice a year this service that includes external survey of gas pipes and gas consumption devices, reliability of carving connections, in case of gas leak its elimination, survey of apertures intended for entering streams of air and gas combustion, in case of need – flue cleaning and so forth.
All it is clear, however there are problems, the solution of which can find neither the Commission on the regulation of public services, nor “A$G”.
For example, thousand people complain, that those polyethylene rigid pipes with help of which gasification was carried out and which they had bought in shop, are forbidden now and are considered as dangerous.
“We are made replace them with new metal pipes, – says one of the consumers, – however there is a question – if they are forbidden, why they have appeared in the market and have been exposed on sale and who should bear expenses on their replacement.”
One of the employees of the known organization on import and sale of building materials which has asked not to disclose the name of the organization, assures, that polyethylene pipes are unequivocally safe, and the whole Europe uses them. “I think, the interdiction for their use does not start with the safety purposes, – he said, – we do not have metal pipes on sale as their import and realization carries out only “Armrusgasprom”. However, we have polyethylene pipes and the permission to their sale. If it is forbidden, why do they certificate these pipes?”.
The expert of the company “Shincertificate ” Mesrop Karapetjan also assures, that polyethylene pipes can be used and they are safe, and the manager of the company laboratory explains this in the following way : ” “Armrusgasprom” has created monopoly and wishes to sell only those pipes which imports itself , I do not have another explanation.”
We must also mention, that metal pipes are more expensive than the polyethylene.
The list of duties of the company “A$G” which are carrying out the technical service of the household gas consumption systems, does not include works on replacement used before “wrong” pipes on the new ones. The employee of the company fixes infringement, and expenses on purchase and an establishment of new pipes are born by the client.
Actually, the consumer has to replace pipes, having spent more money, time and nerves. He cannot not to replace it – the statement will be drawn up and gas will be switched off.
As the chief engineer of company “A$G” Papin Yergnyan mentions, the company is not obliged to correct mistakes at own expense which are the result of the actions of consumers: “We have incurred the duties without that which have been not provided by the contract, – he says, – for example: considering discontent of tenants, in many cases we replace some details for means of our organization.”
Mr. Yergnyan considers the size of service charges normal, noticing, that the organization carries out 17 types of services, has 44 staffs and about 1000 employees. He in particular pays attention to the installation in apartments and houses of devices of a signal of safety.
About the complaints of consumers of the mechanics of the company “A$G” do not carry out the duties Yergnyan assures, that they develop serious mechanisms for the decision of these problems: “All of us declare, that if the mechanic does not make the two visits, does not come on a call, or comes without a uniform and tools, does not carry out treaty provisions and etc. the client has right not to pay for service and address to us”.
In his opinion, consumers should protect the rights and before signing the certificate about carrying out works, demand from employees to carry out of the obligations. Last year 200 mechanics, and the majority of them – for inadequate carrying out duties, have been discharged from office.
Today mechanics pass corresponding examination, and once a year pass retraining. The company “A$G” has also a code of business behaviour by which all the employees of the company should be guided. In particular, in mutual relations with clients, employees of the company should show conscientiousness, honesty, professional style of work, readiness to satisfy professional interest and requirements of the client, ability to present the correct and proved arguments in case of unacceptability of the point of view gas consumers.
The chairman of the public organization “Protection of the rights of consumers” Abgar Yegoyan assures, that problems connected with the safety of gas consumption for last two years have become rather less. “Former there were only complaints concerning payment – in that plan – why the service charges are not included in the tariff for gas”, -says Yegoyan.
One of the consumers says: “When the Commission on the regulation of public services lowered the tariff for gas, it was constantly said about it, however nobody said that the price for gas was not 136 dram, and is more as we are obliged to pay also for service.”
Among the CIS countries Armenia is the first which carries out such a large-scale program directed on maintenance of safety of household systems of gas consumption in all the territory. It pleases and is welcomed. However, the fact, that service is carried out only by one company chosen by “Armrusgasprom”, causes fears, that it can become monopoly.
It is not necessary to be an economist to understand, creation of free conditions for a competition is how much important: firstly – the consumer will have a choice possibility, and secondly it can reduce the price for services.
By the way, the head of information department of the Commission on regulation of public services of the RA Mariam Stepanyan informed, that in water supply sphere paid service will be also included. However, it will not be obligatory as failure of system of water supply does not a deadly threat for the population.