Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Mr Vinogradov, I have looked up your region’s statistics, so I know your achievements and problems. Investment in fundamental assets grew considerably in the year’s first half to exceed the national average. Housing construction rates, on the contrary, fell for no apparent reason. The same goes for agriculture: there were drought-related problems last year but your grain yield was larger than this year, despite the good weather.

Nikolai Vinogradov: No, the present yield is 2.3 tonnes per hectare against 1.7 tonnes last year, but we have reaped only 43% of crops for today. The area is somewhat smaller than last year, and so is the general grain yield.

Vladimir Putin: You mean you’ve reduced the sown area?

Nikolai Vinogradov: No, we expanded it by 10%. True, we are somewhat lagging behind with the harvest, but the yield exceeds last year’s.

As for housing construction, it’s customary to commission more housing at the year’s end. 511,000 square metres will be ready this year.

Vladimir Putin: How much did you build last year?

Nikolai Vinogradov: It was 480,000 sq m.

Vladimir Putin: So you’re making progress here, too?

Nikolai Vinogradov: Yes. It’s just that the seasonal schedule is uneven in the industry.

As for investment, it is growing roughly by 9%, which is not a bad rate though foreign investment is falling slightly because several large construction projects have been finished. However, the region is becoming more attractive to foreign investors. Last year, the Vladimir Region ranked 5^th for overall foreign investment in the Central Federal District with $765 million. Our foreign trade has grown by 90%. Winter preparations are not bad. Fire safety has also improved. The number of fires has decreased three times over, and the fire-affected area more than 100 times.

Vladimir Putin: How did the new housing fare during the winter?

Nikolai Vinogradov: It was normal this year – and last year, too.

Vladimir Putin: Are you sure?

Nikolai Vinogradov: It’s more or less all right. As for fires, they are a real big problem. Last summer taught us tough lessons. The region’s fire safety allocations exceed previous ones four times, considering federal targeted grants.

Vladimir Putin: What can you say about healthcare and education programmes?

Nikolai Vinogradov: We are implementing them though there are problems with the cancer programme. There are unexpected predicaments [with the central regional cancer hospital]… The radiology ward, which is under construction, will adjoin the surgical ward, but quicksand was suddenly discovered under the latter’s foundation, so there are major engineering problems to address.

Vladimir Putin: But what about the programme in general? Has it been approved?

Nikolai Vinogradov: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: What funds are you receiving for it?

Nikolai Vinogradov: The region is entitled to 4.5 billion roubles for modernisation – a sizeable sum.

Vladimir Putin: It is.

Nikolai Vinogradov: We are making good progress in every field. The region participated in the implementation of many programmes – on cardiovascular diseases, cancer and others.

Vladimir Putin: What about rural healthcare? Does your programme address it?

Nikolai Vinogradov: I can’t say it is a main focus of the programme  – most of the modernisation efforts concern existing large hospitals.

Vladimir Putin: But are there any improvements in the countryside?

Nikolai Vinogradov: Yes – at least there are small rural health clinics.

Vladimir Putin: So there are some?

Nikolai Vinogradov: Yes. On the whole, we are doing rather well. The region ranks 12^th in Russia for healthcare.

Vladimir Putin: And for schools?

Nikolai Vinogradov: We had a school programme before, too. Now, we are making an emphasis on repairs. Only a few schools are being built, and a greater part of funds are being used to renovate available buildings. There are schools that have fallen into disrepair, and we are directing money to them. 

Vladimir Putin: Have you received this year’s grants?

Nikolai Vinogradov: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: How much?

Nikolai Vinogradov: Roughly 250 million roubles, if I am not mistaken.

Vladimir Putin: What about teacher salaries?

Nikolai Vinogradov: We have increased them by 6.5% as promised.

Vladimir Putin: Indeed you have – just as on the federal level. So teachers are earning somewhat more?

Nikolai Vinogradov: That’s right.

Vladimir Putin: But we [the federal government] said it was necessary to bring teacher salaries up to the average level.

Nikolai Vinogradov: They are approaching it. The region’s average wage is close to 14,600 roubles a month.

Vladimir Putin: Nominally, slightly over 15,000.

Nikolai Vinogradov: That’s just what I’m saying – the real wage is about 14,600. The growth rate is 10%.

Vladimir Putin: Will you increase teacher salaries starting September 1? We set you the task of making them equal to the regional average.

Nikolai Vinogradov: Meanwhile, they are about 90% of the average.

Vladimir Putin: When will it be 100%?

Nikolai Vinogradov: Next year.

Vladimir Putin: Next year, you say? A year is a long time, from January 1 to December 31, so please specify.

Nikolai Vinogradov: I cannot be sure about the deadline before I see the figures. We are lagging behind somewhat.

Vladimir Putin: Just a bit, so I think January 1, 2012 is a plausible deadline.

Nikolai Vinogradov: I’ll say for sure after I see the statistics.

Vladimir Putin: All right, I’ll wait for your answer tomorrow.

Nikolai Vinogradov: Good.

Vladimir Putin: But don’t forget about January 1.

Nikolai Vinogradov: Okay.

Vladimir Putin: Agreed.