MOSCOW, May 01. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin is against quick introduction of electric power social consumption norms.

“The experiment should be conducted with utmost carefulness,” the Russian leader said at a meeting with trade union leaders.

In the view of Putin, it is necessary “once again to analyze what happens in reality.”

“And in reality, unfortunately, there is a hidden or even open rising of tariff rates,” the president said. Therefore, he noted, “there should be no hurry with the expansion of the experiment.”

In September 2013, a pilot project on the introduction of the electricity social consumption norm for the population was launched in a number of Russian regions. A lower tariff rate is set within the limits of the social consumption norm. However, if the consumer exceeds the limit, then he should pay a higher price for the difference between the social norm and actual consumption. It is planned to make a difference of more than 30% between these tariffs. In addition, at least 70% of the actual volume of electric power supply to the population in a given region should fall within the social norm.

The constituent entities have been given the right to decide themselves on the introduction of the social norm of electricity consumption or refuse form it no later than July 1, 2016.

Meanwhile, on April 22 the Russian government said that Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed a resolution, excluding the introduction of social consumption norm on water, as well as cancelling the introduction of social norms for heating and natural gas supply.