The comparison of gasoline prices in Makhachkala and Nalchik has given rise to criticism of the owners of Dagestani gas stations.
Gasoline in Nalchik is 40 rubles per liter cheaper than in Dagestan, a local driver reported on social media. Other Dagestani motorists, commenting on his message, said they are forced to buy AI-95 for 120 rubles per liter, accusing local gas station owners of price gouging and expressing hope that the opening of gas stations from major fuel networks will solve the problem of high fuel prices.
As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on October 30, the head of Dagestan Fedor Shchukin promised to expedite the opening of gas stations from major fuel networks in the republic. According to him, the first "Tatneft" gas station is already operating in a test mode, five more are technically ready for opening, and the chairman of the Dagestan government has held negotiations with a major fuel producer interested in entering the republic's market.
The authorities of Dagestan hope that with the appearance of network gas stations in the republic, drivers will have a choice, and competition between networks and local gas stations will help lower prices. In September, the head of the Federal Antimonopoly Service in Dagestan Kair Babaev explained that the republic depends on suppliers who purchase gasoline on the free market. When oil refineries suspend operations, the available fuel for purchase decreases, leading to shortages and price increases, he explained.
According to a driver from Dagestan, during a trip to Kabardino-Balkaria, he noticed that the price difference for fuel between Nalchik and Dagestan reaches 40 rubles per liter. He attached a photo of the price board at one of Nalchik's gas stations, showing the prices per liter of gasoline: 75.50 rubles for AI-95 and 68.50 rubles for AI-92.
"Do entrepreneurs in Dagestan have no morals or what? How can there be a price difference of 40 rubles for one liter of fuel? How is this possible?" – wrote the driver, whose message was published by the Instagram* public dagestan_like.
As of 10:55 AM Moscow time on November 7, this post in the Instagram* public dagestan_like, which has about 104 thousand followers, received 457 likes and 115 comments.
Other Dagestani drivers criticized the owners of local gas stations. "In Dagestan, gas station owners really love their Dagestan and their people," wrote hai_bulik.
"These gas station owners are so insatiable," stated ainutdin791. "Don't buy gas from these [strongly expressive word] gas stations," urged maxm_a_m.
Some commentators linked high prices to collusion and corruption. "This is all collusion, and everyone knows it. They all fill their pockets, and they don't care about the people," stated lllider_30.
"All corrupt schemes are tested in Dagestan," believes sengit_ns.
Drivers cited prices at gas stations in Dagestan. "In Dagestan, at gas stations, AI-95 is 114 rubles, AI-92 is 109 rubles. The law is the same everywhere; why is it expensive only in Dagestan?" – asked shakh5846.
"Yesterday I drove from Moscow to Makhachkala, the highest price for AI-95 along the way was 72 rubles. In Kizlyar, I filled up for 115 rubles. I just have no words," wrote nasir_455_. "Two days ago in Pyatigorsk, I filled AI-95 for 76 rubles. I arrived in Makhachkala and filled up for 120 rubles," noted w_2663_w.
Other commentators expressed hope that the opening of network gas stations would help lower prices. "I hope that the biggest networks, such as "Lukoil" and "Rosneft", will soon come to Dagestan with reasonable prices and quality fuel, like in all cities of Russia. Dagestan traders are very good at profiting off their own people," wrote n_amg_505.
"We need to open network gas stations, and then we'll see. These private owners will gladly lower prices. The whole problem is that there is no competition," believes alikerim_mustafaev. "I hope "Lukoil" and "Rosneft" come to Dagestan," wrote 812364ig.
"Caucasian Knot" also reported that Dagestani drivers regularly complain about high gasoline prices. For instance, on October 18, drivers reported that a liter of gasoline at local gas stations costs 125–130 rubles. On September 12, motorists demanded that authorities lower fuel prices, stating that they have remained high for three months. On August 17, drivers reported that their monthly gasoline expenses had increased by several thousand rubles, forcing them to cut back on trips.