OREANDA-NEWS. April 14, 2010. The Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS Russia) found that the Federal Forestry Agency (Rosleskhoz) violated Article 15 of the Federal Law "On Protection of Competition" (prohibiting competition restricting actions of the authorities). The Agency unlawfully recommended that the executor of a government contract should enter into a contract with "Roslesinforg" Federal State Unitary Enterprise and also unreasonably discredited activities of its competitor - "Rosgiproles" OJSC, reported the press-centre of FAS Russia.

The case was initiated upon "Rosgiproles" OJSC.

Rosleskhoz violated the antimonopoly law because it sent recommendations to the executor of a government highway design contract ("TsKAD" OJSC) that the contract for carrying out forest and land surveying works in order to develop project design documentation must be concluded with an organization subordinate to Rosleskhoz: "Tsentrlesproekt", a branch of "Roslesinforg" Federal State Unitary Enterprise.

After "TsKAD" OJSC entered into a contract with a different economic entity - "Rosgiproles" OJSC, Rosleskhoz sent a letter to "TsKAD" OJSC that "Rosgiproles" OJSC was not able to execute the above works with due quality.

According to Rachik Petrosyan, the Head of the Department for Control over Housing and Utilities, Construction and Natural Resources, these recommendations discredit and prevent economic activities of "Rosgiproles" OJSC.

"Such actions undoubtedly put organizations subordinate to the federal executive bodies in an advantageous position in comparison with other economic entities involved in similar activities. It prevents developing healthy competition", says Rachik Petrosyan. "FAS Russia will continue paying special attention to the actions of the authorities and suppressing such violations".