Kiev. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – February 13, 2021 – Economy
In Ukraine, theft of communal apartments, according to various estimates, reaches 5% of total consumption, which is hundreds of millions of hryvnias per month.
Special magnets are installed on the counters, which slow down their work, or they immediately buy “special” metering devices.
If utilities find violations, the amount of the fine may reach UAH 100 thousand. For example, according to the register of court decisions, at the end of last year, a resident of Chernigov through the court canceled his debt in the amount of 58 thousand hryvnias.
According to the materials of the case, it seemed to the inspectors that, despite the whole seals, the readings were underestimated – they say, a magnet was installed on the meter. Then the counter was removed and sent for examination. They concluded that he was guilty, and counted a debt of almost 60 thousand hryvnias.
But in court such “punishments” often “fall”: if the seal is intact and there is no technical interference in the metering device’s mechanisms, it is difficult to prove guilt. Some meters are already sold with built-in magnets. If such a meter falls into the hands of public utilities, it will not be possible to get out of the fine.
Sellers of “special” counters are not even hiding. Olga Babiy, a member of the National Commission for Energy and Utilities (NKREKU), said that they are sold “complete with a magnet” even in the markets.
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