MOSCOW, February 6 - RAPSI. The Moscow Commercial Court will hear the lawsuit filed by Russian Railways against the Russian Federation, represented by the Finance Ministry, the Healthcare Ministry and the Labor Ministry, on March 29. The rail monopoly is suing Russia for 7.03 billion rubles ($233.4 million), RAPSI was told in the court.

According to the Prime business news agency, Russian Railways is demanding compensation for its losses from the transportation of benefit recipients in 2009. The news agency's source said that in late 2008 Russian Railways signed an agreement with the Healthcare Ministry on the transportation of benefit recipients in 2009, according to which the rail operator was to receive compensation for profit shortfall resulting from this agreement.

A railway monopoly's spokesperson said during the preliminary hearing on Wednesday that an out-of-court settlement was a possibility.

According to Russian Railways, the transportation of benefit recipients in 2009 cost the company 11 billion rubles (over $365 million), but only 4 billion rubles (around $133 million) were issued in compensation for this from the federal budget.

RAPSI does not yet have any comments from the defendants.