The prime minister and the governor discussed issues related to the region’s socio-economic development in 2011 and the first quarter of this year, including the situation in the manufacturing and residential construction sectors. Mr Putin inquired about progress in the region’s healthcare modernization programme and asked about the salaries of teachers and doctors. Mr Belykh told the prime minister that in March 2012 the teachers’ salary was 54% higher than in March of the previous year, and its level is expected to reach that of the average salary in the region this year.