The rate of rent should be reduced only for those who will actually produce gas, instead of those who stole the license, signed the deals on joint activity and illegally received deposit, said Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk in the Parliament on Tuesday, 10 November, in the process of consideration by the MPs of bill No. 2835 designed to cut rents on gas production.

Arseniy Yatsenyuk reminded that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine had submitted to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine a bill which envisaged the reduction in rental payments for natural gas extraction "for those companies that didn't steal licenses, that have not signed the collaboration agreements, that have not illegally obtained certain deposits, and those who invest and increase natural gas production volumes".

According to the Head of Government, the government bill was being drafted in cooperation with all international experts directly engaged in drawing investment in the Ukrainian gas industry.

However, he stressed, in an alternative parliamentary draft law there occurred the norm, which returns the preferential taxation for 12 gas oligarchs who have joint activity": "After the Ukrainian Government made a public statement on the issue, some receded".

The Prime Minister stressed that in case offered by certain members of the Parliament norm to reduce rents for Ukrgazvydobuvannia approved, it may lead to the elimination of social norms in the cost of gas: "Due to the fact that Ukrgazvydobuvannia has gas of its own production and price of Ukrgazvydobuvannia appears not to be a market price, we have found a way to afford 1200 cubic meters of gas during the heating season for each household at a price that is twice lower than the market one - UAH 3600 UAH instead of UAH 7200. To down the rental payment for Ukrgazvydobuvannia means that we must eliminate the social norm and to raise the price of gas from UAH 3600 to 7200. I am against this".

Regarding the subsidy tool, Arseniy Yatsenyuk stressed that presently each fourth citizen of Ukraine receives subsidies from the Government. They have got first bills: "An average amount of subsidies for those who need it, not for those who warm their swimming pools with gas, is between UAH 600 and 1.5 thousand per household".

Moreover, Arseniy Yatsenyuk appealed to those MPs who spread rumours that Naftogaz of Ukraine and Ukrgazvydobuvannia are bankrupt": "They aren't bankrupt, but you have made them bankrupt with the price for gas worth 500 dollars, which you signed. With 10 billion dollars that we paid to Russia because of your irresponsibility and lies."

The Prime Minister urged the Parliament to reduce the rates of rent for those who actually produce the gas.