The key facts

  • 22 CNG stations in Nukus simultaneously raised the price of compressed gas by an average of 1,000 soums per cubic meter
  • The Competition Committee fined the stations under Article 19 of the law 'On Competition' and issued mandatory orders
  • Nine stations appealed the decision in court, but the court upheld its legality

Gas price surge in Nukus

The Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights fined all 22 automotive gas-filling compressor stations operating in Nukus for anti-competitive coordinated actions. The reason was a citizen's complaint received by the agency, reports Spot.uz citing the committee's press service.

What the inspection revealed

The inspections found that all stations simultaneously raised the price per cubic meter of compressed gas by an average of 1,000 soums compared to the previously applicable rates. A special commission of the committee's territorial administration opened a case on signs of violation of Article 19 of the law 'On Competition' — engaging in anti-competitive coordinated and concerted actions. Following the review, the stations received financial fines as well as mandatory orders to eliminate the violations and prevent similar cases in the future.

Appeal and further oversight

Nine stations that disagreed with the commission's decision went to court, however the court upheld the legality of the committee's decisions. The agency stated that it will continue monitoring business entities in the domestic market to identify anti-competitive coordinated actions. For drivers in Nukus, this means that the simultaneous gas price increase has been recognized as a violation, and the fines and orders have been upheld in court — however, sources do not report on prices returning to their previous level or on the amount of the fines.