Russian State Duma Vice Chairman, Deputy Head of United Russia faction
Vladimir Pekhtin attends State Duma session.
Photo: Dmitry Dukhanin
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Growth Barrier Set for National Projects
Expenses on top-priority national projects and demographic initiatives for 2007-2009 will be limited by 3.5 percent of the budget’s expenditure section. Moreover, United Russia parliamentary majority in the State Duma might reduce the budget’s expenses on national projects in 2009, after the election campaign is over. The Duma’s deputy chairs Vladimir Pekhtin and Vyacheslav Volodin (both of United Russia) confirmed yesterday that it is necessary to allocate at least 700 billion rubles for national projects in the coming three years, and about 100 billion rubles for solving demographic problems.
According to Finance Ministry’s data, about 115 billion rubles was allocated for national projects in 2006. However, actual expenses on national projects exceeded 2.6 percent of the budget’s expenses. In 2008-2009, expenses on such projects and demographic initiatives will reach 3.5 percent of the budget’s expenditure part.
State Duma deputies are well aware that United Russia intends to reduce financing. However, 100 billion rubles will be needed in three years just for maternity payments.
Rodina (Motherland) faction head Sergei Glazyev became the leading lobbyist of increasing social expenses. He said it is necessary to increase them up to 1.5 trillion rubles for three years, that is up to 7-8 percent of the budget’s expenditures. Ironically, United Russia, a faction most politically interested in maximal growth of social expenses, remained the most conservative force in the Duma concerning this issue.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Jan. 25, 2007
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