Dagestan's rise to the top in gasoline prices has raised questions among residents towards officials.

Dagestan has become the leader in the country in gasoline prices, reported the republican TV channel. Local residents, commenting on its video report on social media, demanded that the authorities and the antimonopoly service explain the reasons for the high fuel prices and take measures to reduce them.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", according to Rosstat data, as of July 13, the highest price for a liter of gasoline in Dagestan was 105 rubles.

The average price for a liter of gasoline in Dagestan reached 135-140 rubles. For comparison, in Moscow gasoline costs 73-75 rubles, in Chechnya from 84 to 90, in North Ossetia – from 74 to 78, and in the Stavropol Territory from 74 to 103 rubles, reported RGVK "Dagestan".

Thus, the difference with neighboring regions exceeds 50 rubles per liter. Analysts attribute this to logistical costs and the peculiarities of the local market, noted the TV channel.

"The most expensive gasoline in Russia has been recorded in Dagestan," the report stated.

Commentators criticized officials and antimonopoly agents

The video report by RGVK "Dagestan" on fuel prices in the republic was published on July 20 by the Instagram*-public dagestan_inform, which has about 655 thousand followers. As of 10:40 Moscow time on July 21, this post received 1,227 likes and 401 comments.

Some of the authors, positioning themselves as residents of Dagestan, raised questions about the reasons for the high gasoline prices. They primarily directed their questions to the authorities of the republic.

"Where is the head of the region looking?" wrote gorets3329. "Where are our deputies looking?" questioned omarov1315.

"And what do we need the government for?" asked user taiga05536.

Users also inquired about the work of the antimonopoly service and the results of monitoring fuel prices.

"Question: Where is the FAS looking?" noted elderhanovna. "Is there an antimonopoly service in Dagestan?" said a comment from _arg100.

"It's interesting how the antimonopoly service controls things when prices are skyrocketing and no one can stop it?" questioned user miry5738.

Commentators criticized the authorities for the lack of control over the fuel market. "Unsatisfactory work of the republic's government," believes gadji_330.

"Government of Dagestan, are you asleep or have you been told: don't interfere, it's not your business? If an ordinary mortal commits a violation, they are found within a few hours, but here anarchy has been going on for so long – everyone is indifferent to this situation," wrote mogomed_818_818.

"There is no control in Dagestan: everyone does as they please," stated abdur_053057.

Some users demanded to strengthen control, hold those responsible accountable, and fine gas station owners for unjustified price increases.

"Antimonopoly service, where are you looking? Get to work, after all," urged matimuslim1972.

"This is a disgrace, and I hope they will be held accountable," noted 1993_mutuev.

Commentators compared gasoline prices with the level of salaries and pensions in the republic.

"In Dagestan, salaries and pensions are low, but prices are as if they are based on a Moscow salary," pointed out raika057671.

"Salaries are the lowest," noted isamagomedov277.

"Our salaries are higher than in Moscow, we can afford even 200 rubles," user zoloto_0_5 sarcastically remarked.

Dagestani entrepreneurs called for stabilizing the fuel market

On July 16, the Union of Entrepreneurs of Dagestan published an appeal to the authorities in its Telegram channel, urging them to take urgent measures to stabilize prices in the fuel market.
The situation with hydrocarbon gas remains complicated: purchase prices have sharply increased, supplies are irregular, and stocks at gas filling stations are gradually depleting, the appeal states.

Previously, the association of gas stations "Dagtoplivo" stated that gasoline in Dagestan decreased in price by 25 percent over the month. Residents of the republic, discussing the association's report on social media, pointed out the ongoing hype, queues at gas stations, and the actual increase in fuel prices.

On July 8, residents of Makhachkala reported a reduction in queues at city gas stations, noting that prices remained high. Two days later, gasoline at gas stations in Makhachkala continued to rise in price, despite the absence of large queues. At one of the gas stations checked by "Caucasian Knot", its price increased by ten rubles in two days. According to residents, monthly expenses for fuel have increased by at least several thousand rubles.