Nur-Sultan Kazakhstan January 5, ANI Sputnik Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev was told on Wednesday to impose state regulation on prices for liquefied natural gas LNG and gasoline for a period of six months, in addition to other measures to keep the situation in the country rocked by protests against fuel prices.
His order reads that state regulation applies to liquefied gas, gasoline and diesel, as well as socially significant food products. After a government meeting, the president's orders include a moratorium on utility tariffs for the period in question, as well as subsidizing rents for secondary housing for socially vulnerable segments of the population, according to the office.
In the beginning of the year, protests against a twofold increase in LNG prices in Kazakhstan erupted in the Aktau and Zhanaozen cities of the southwestern Mangystau region. The regions of West Kazakhstan and Atyrau participated in the demonstrations.
On Tuesday, a government commission set up by Tokayev to resolve the issue agreed to lower the gas price. The protests expanded to other cities, including Almaty, where there were clashes between demonstrators and police overnight.
The situation in Almaty and Mangystau Region has begun to improve after the introduction of a state of emergency in these areas, and the president dismissed the government on Wednesday morning, blaming it for protests.
The measure, effective until January 19, stipulates a curfew and restrictions of movement.