The State Duma will take control of utility tariffs.

      The State Duma will take control of the issue of a possible increase in utility tariffs, which the Ministry of Economic Development has included in its forecast for the socio-economic development of Russia. As reported on the State Duma's website, the Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, Vyacheslav Volodin, has instructed the relevant committees to monitor the planned increase in tariffs. The deputies supported Volodin.

      "A huge number of appeals from citizens, because in this forecast, over four years, the Ministry proposes to increase tariffs by 33.5%," Volodin said, noting that the ministry is also talking about a planned reduction in inflation. Vyacheslav Volodin pointed out that on one hand, the Ministry of Economic Development speaks of reducing inflation to 5% by the end of 2026, while on the other hand, it predicts a tariff increase that is double relative to inflation.

      "We cannot agree to this. So let's discuss it. Let the Minister of Economic Development come and justify his position before making such forecasts," Volodin noted.

      Recall that earlier the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation published forecasts for the growth of utility tariffs until 2029. According to the ministry's forecast, in 2026, utility tariffs in Russia will be indexed by 8.7% starting from July 1. In 2027, the increase will be 7.1%, and in 2029 — 6.1%. In 2026, a tariff increase is also expected starting from October 1. According to the ministry's forecast, utility services will become more expensive by 9.9%. The Kirov region ranked in the top 5 of the Volga Federal District for the amount of benefits for utilities, but fell behind its neighbors in subsidies. Utility tariffs in the region may increase by 11 percent. The indexing of utility tariffs is projected at 9.8 percent.