On September 25, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, believes it is necessary to more widely implement differentiated tariffs for utility services depending on consumption volumes. He expressed his point of view in a conversation with a BELTA correspondent. Currently, in the region, the population covers only 13.5% of the costs for utility services, while during the formation of the budget for 2012, this figure was planned at 35%. The difference is currently covered by the budget surplus. However, these funds could be directed not to cover expenses, but to the development of housing and communal services. For example, capital repairs of housing in the region alone require Br500 billion annually, and another Br300 billion is needed for the implementation of the "Clean Water" program. To resettle people from dilapidated housing and provide them with improved housing, 1845 apartments need to be built. In order to implement these plans, designed to qualitatively improve people's lives, it is necessary not only to increase budget revenues but also to improve the system of payment for housing and communal services by the population, the chairman of the regional executive committee is convinced. "At the same time, differentiating the payment for housing and communal services by population income requires serious calculations, but establishing differentiated tariffs depending on consumption volumes will allow everyone to pay according to their needs, and will also encourage the rational use of resources," believes Alexander Kosinets. -0-

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