Vladimir Putin’s opening remarks:

Colleagues, as agreed at the recent meeting of the Government Presidium, let’s discuss the implementation of the federal targeted programmes. As part of these programmes, we have already accomplished a great deal in various sectors of the economy and the social sector. These programmes have proved to be an effective instrument, but only when they are used properly.   

However, year in year out we face glitches in implementing the federal targeted programmes. This often happens because the goals set are too vague, which leads to problems down the line with financing and inefficient management. In some cases, not only has the project not been launched, as it should have been, but the necessary paperwork hasn’t even been prepared. Such cases are, to put it mildly, extremely strange and completely unacceptable.     

It is for these reasons that we have yet to approve the targeted programme on the Baikal Nature Reserve and the State Border federal targeted programme. The responsibility for this falls on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Federal Agency for the Development of the State Border Facilities (Rosgranitsa). These programmes are due to be launched this year and the funding has already been allocated in the budget for their implementation.     

On this subject, I often recall the “battles” for budget resources at the budget preparation stage. So what happens to all that zeal and enthusiasm when it comes to implementing the projects? After all, these resources were diverted from other sectors. And it’s quite likely that they would have been used more effectively had they been allocated to the active programmes. Today, we will get to the bottom of why this is happening.        

In other cases, it’s a matter of the funds just sitting there, not being used properly after the programmes have already been approved and resources allocated. This is the case with the fishing industry development programme. We had to cut the programme’s funding by half due to the low levels of spending. But the Ministry still failed to spend the remaining resources in a timely and efficient manner. As a result, more than a quarter of the allocated funds for 2011 were returned to the budget.

The ministries do not always provide accurate reporting on their activities. The Defence Ministry has acknowledged this. This problem is not new, it’s been like this for some time. For example, the number of people on the housing waiting list, including corporate housing, is constantly changing. As a result, we can’t make an accurate estimate of the scale of the problem and arrange timely and full financing for these projects. Let’s discuss this issue today, as well. 

And finally, I want to stress that we need to work out a comprehensive strategy for implementing the federal targeted programmes. We should increase the accountability of the individuals and agencies involved in implementing the projects. We also need to review the selection criteria and the system of objectives and indicators for the federal targeted programmes.    

I want to reiterate that a failure to properly use allocated resources in one area means that other areas are being deprived of those resources, which they could have made good use of. We need to make a serious analysis of what is happening in this area and draw the appropriate conclusions. Let’s proceed with our meeting.