The number of non-budgetary accounts today is over 600, with most of them owned by the Health Ministry, the State Tax Administration ad the State Customs Service. Kuchma said he was greatly surprised by the State Tax Administraytion claims that collection of taxes was on the increase, while tax debts in January-February 1999 grew by UAH 1.8 billion. Commenting on the performance of economy sectors, President Kuchma said last year's production slump in metallurgy resembled a downfall. He considers that metallurgy has lost its independence and has to rely completely on supplies of fuel and raw materials. Having destroyed the old gas market, we failed to create any worthy replacement, said Kuchma.
Natural gas continues to be supplied to customers for a song.
The program for the installation of gas meters also failed. During the morning sitting of the Supreme Council of Ukraine on Feb. 19 the statement of the People's Rukh faction in the parliament was announced. The statement says that the faction has elected its new leader. Viacheslav Chornovil, the Rukh party leader, has been replaced as the Rukh faction leader by Yuriy Kostenko, the former environmental protection minister. 30 out of 48 members of the Rukh faction voted for Mr. Kostenko's candidacy.