OREANDA-NEWS. November 21, 2008. The Cabinet does not intend to revise its decision to hike 2009 natural monopoly tariffs, first vice PM Igor Shuvalov noted Thursday. "We proceed from the fact that the tariff plan that was earlier approved by the government in May will be executed" – Shuvalov said. "We reached the conclusion that it is essential to stick to the plan to raise natural monopoly tariffs next year" – he added.

"There were disputes about whether or not we should adhere to the earlier approved tariff plans for gas, electric power and railroad shipments. There have been a lot of questions and requests not to hike the tariffs and keep them at the 2008 level" – Shuvalov said. According to him, having decided not to revise the earlier approved tariffs for natural monopolies the government operates on the assumption that the tariff is a component for the formation of investment income, enabling monopolies to fully finance their investment programs.