Human rights activist Valery Misnikov could not get from the state fair payment for the consumed energy for gardeners who live outside the city during the summer season.
All the fuss broke out because Viciebsk Electrical production and marketing state-run "Belenergo" uniquely understands the existing legislation regarding payment for electricity customers. According to Viciebsk residents, seasonal residents in the cottages, which human rights activists appealed to for help, state enterprise infringes upon their rights and legitimate interests.
A significant number of fans to live permanently in the country from spring to autumn draw up a temporary registration - from April to October, their actual place of residence are cottages. At the same time they retain a permanent record, according to which their residence is located in Viciebsk. However, according to senior officials of the Viciebsk regional branch of the "Belenergo", the presence of the citizens of the temporary registration is not grounds for a reduced payment of electricity in the cottages. Therefore, the energy cost is calculated at the rate of cottagers, provides full compensation of economically justified costs, and it is almost two times more than it would be at a reduced rate.
This situation prompted the avid gardeners to seek support from a human rights activist. In order to protect their legitimate rights and interests of Valeri Misnikov addressed the Republican National Audit Office and the Prosecutor General's Office with a request to conduct an audit of the Viciebsk branch of "Belenergo" in order to determine how well done the calculation of payment for electricity supplied vacationers. According to human rights, energy consciously consider temporary registration and the registration of a temporary place of residence - a place of residence. By manipulating these concepts, they illegally expect to pay for electricity at the rate of full compensation, that is, half overestimate their payment services to truckers.
The questions posed to the supervisory authorities of the country responded to the Department of Energy of the Republic of Belarus - is to "police authorities" forwarded Misnikova treatment.
First Deputy Energy Minister Leonid Shenets thoroughly analyzed the treatment of human rights defender and came to the conclusion that the actions of his subordinates is not breaking the law. According to the official "residence" and "place of residence" are two different concepts, and residence registration does not imply permanent residence at that address. Therefore, if the vacationers are registered at the place of stay (at the cottage) and live there permanently 5-6 months of the year - it does not have a permanent residence.
Approval of the Deputy Minister - is formally correct, but, according to the Viciebsk human rights activist, does not reflect the realities of country. Nevertheless, on the basis of this statement draws conclusions quite satisfying energy:
"Please note that the provision of citizens to pay for utility services at subsidized by the state (ie, the" grace ") prices (tariffs) is one of the measures of state support of the population. This support is provided by a citizen (or his family) only at the place of his (their) residence registration ... Registration by place of residence is not the basis for the payment of these utility services at subsidized ("grace") prices (tariffs) ".
In other words, six months living outside the place of registration, vacationers have to pay for "light" at the full rate. Otherwise, they are from the point of view of the state will receive benefits for payment of electricity and in the place of registration in Viciebsk and in the actual place, but a temporary stay in the country, and it is not fair to the other citizens.
Valery Misnikov not agree with the resolution issue. He sympathizes with the cottagers, who are constantly living in the country during April-October to pay twice as much than those who live in the city. That is, according to human rights, discrimination against citizens on the basis of residence, although the actions of the Belarusian Constitution in Article 22 declares that all citizens are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of their rights and legitimate interests.
Vitebsk Spring
