On October 5, 2012 Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of Government Staff Vladislav Surkov chaired an expanded meeting with heads of Russia’s regions and representatives of federal executive bodies.

The meeting focused on the implementation of Federal Law No.210-FZ, On Organising the Provision of State and Municipal Services. Under the law, state authorities may not request from individuals or companies information that can be obtained from other agencies.

This provision came into effect on October 1, 2011 for federal bodies and on July 1, 2012 for all regions and municipalities.

The Deputy Prime Minister pointed out that implementation of this law is a key element in the realisation of President’s Executive Order No.601 of May 7, 2012, On the Main Directions for Improving the System of Governance, and is subject to special oversight.

It was also noted that the regions are not prepared to convert to electronic interdepartmental interaction. In this regard, Mr Surkov instructed Minister of Communications and Mass Media Nikolai Nikiforov to take personal responsibility for the improvement of the transition process.