Arkady Dvorkovich, an advisor to the president, proposes lowering tax on natural resources extraction, not excise duty on petrol, in a bid to stabilize domestic petrol market. It is more logical, Dvorkovich says, because subsoil tax goes to the federal funds, whereas excise duties - to the regional budgets. Thereby, the state will not do harm to the regional economy (which in several regions is supported by the state funds).   

Recently many Russian regions have faced «troubles with petrol»: the prices have risen substantially, following the roaring demand for petrol after shortages. The energy ministry said, 67% increase in petrol export and withholding petrol by the giants have triggered current crisis. 

Russian Federal Anti-monopoly Service, the competition watchdog, proposed reducing excise duties on petrol if global oil prices rise above $90 per barrel.

Besides, it was proposed to give up step-by-step increase of excise duties on petrol, planned for 2012 and 2013, and to adjust the duties at the rate 0.9 of inflation. The planned boosting of the duties may result in increase in petrol prices by 6-8% annually. The watchdog also proposed raising export duties up to 90% of the duties on oil.   

On May 1, the government of the Russian federation raised export duties, according to the proposals, to $408.3 per ton.

This step, according to assessment of the energy ministry, will help bring additional 200 thousand tons of petrol to domestic market, since it will be sensible for oil refiners to sell petrol to domestic customers rather than export it.

Deputy finance minister Sergey Shatalov said that imposing higher export duties is a «provisional measure» which will be in force for 2 or 3 months. Elvira Nabiullina, the minister of economic development, said the duties may be in force till the end of June.