KIEV, April 17 – Prime Minister Mykola Azarov has criticized regional gas supply companies for charging unreasonably high rates given the scope of the services they provide to retail customers.

"Gas monopolies have lost all sense of reality," Azarov said opening a government meeting on Wednesday.

He cited as an example Kyivgaz's rates for connection to the gas network, and the replacement of boilers and other gas appliances.