President Viktor Yushchenko has signed the law passed by parliament that obliges local budgets to compensate housing and utility service providers for underestimated tariffs, the press service of the head of state reported. \n \n \nThe law "On Amending Article 9 of the Law of Ukraine 'On Prices and Pricing'" was passed by parliament after reconsideration on September 22, 2006. \n \nIn particular, Article 9 of the Law "On Prices and Pricing" was supplemented with a part of the following content: "Executive authorities and local self-government bodies that by their decision set prices (tariffs) for housing and utility services at a level lower than the amount of economically justified costs for their production (provision) are obliged to reimburse the business entity the difference between the approved amount of the price (tariff) and the amount of economically justified costs for the production (provision) of the specified services at the expense of the respective budgets." \n \nAccording to Lutsk Mayor Bohdan Shyba, the authorities decided not to raise heat supply tariffs during the summer. This was not populism and not empty promises: in the budget we provided for the amount of compensation to heat power companies. Now, in the harsh conditions of prepayment for energy carriers and rising gas prices, we were forced to raise tariffs. Because all cities have been warned: if tariffs are not self-sustaining, there will be no gas supply. The tariff is indeed high, but the executive committee had no other way out: we want to start the heating season on time… \n In parallel with this, Bohdan Shyba emphasized, three weeks ago he instructed the relevant services to properly prepare for work on granting subsidies. He assumes that from now on the majority of the city's citizens will need subsidies, and the number of their recipients will increase 2.5-3 times. The task of the authorities is to create conditions so that everyone who wishes can apply for them. \n – We are ready for any development of events, – Bohdan Shyba assured. – We will quickly make changes to the budget, provide funds and finance the difference in tariffs so that gas for heating the city arrives every day. The only thing that worries us is that no one gets the idea to introduce leveling, punish those who work well and incentivize idlers. If someone tries to push such an idea, we will protest to prevent this… \n