Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Mr Gryzlov, the discussion of the country's most important financial document, the federal budget for 2010 and for the planning period of 2011-2012, will begin on Wednesday.
The 2010 budget is rather specific and detailed, as usual, but the budgets for 2011 and 2012 provide only the basic outlines.
Ours is a socially oriented budget. It stipulates requisite allocations for the payment of benefits, pensions and wages. We are carrying out a large-scale pension reform - we have discussed this more than once and you know the main parameters of that reform. We must do everything possible to ensure the unconditional implementation of these commitments.
On the other hand, the budget is also aimed at development, and so allocations to high technologies have been reaffirmed and, in some cases, increased, in particular allocations to the aerospace sector, shipbuilding and other high-tech sectors.
On the other hand, many new questions and proposals are usually made during discussions in Parliament, which is logical because deputies work in the regions, talk with local people, and therefore understand their needs very well.
I decided to meet with you before these discussions begin, to speak about your vision of budget hearing this year, and your views on related questions and problems. What should we focus on additionally?
Boris Gryzlov: Mr Putin, I would like to say that State Duma deputies have worked closely with the Government during the so-called zero hearing, and they have discussed the macroeconomic indices of the budget. We support them. It is extremely important at the time of the global economic crisis that our budget is socially oriented. The people must know that the Government is doing its best to maintain a decent quality of life.
Of course, there are some questions we would like to discuss additionally, for example the crucial question of wages in the public sector. The results of budget fulfilment in the first half of 2010 could be used to consider increasing student scholarships for different categories from September 1, 2010. An increase in servicemen's pay from the same date could also be considered. As for the people employed in the public sector, we could also raise their wages in 2010, although somewhat later, say, in November or December.
Next, I'd like to draw your attention to an important question which our deputies discussed in the regions, the 65th anniversary of Victory [in World War II] we are going to celebrate next year. There are veterans on the housing waiting list who are due to receive flats on May 9, 2010. It has been decided to issue flats to those veterans who were put on the waiting list before March 1, 2005. The other veterans whose requests were not registered by that date still hope that their expectations will come true and they will have a flat of their own. In my opinion, we should discuss this question and, if possible, do something for those veterans who have not had their request for housing registered before March 1, 2005.
There is also a question crucial for innovative development, the project proposed by the United Russia party, Industrial Urals - Polar Urals. It was launched two years ago, and its passport could be fully approved by the end of 2009. Currently, the draft budget does not stipulate financing for this project. I believe that we could allocate some reserves from the Investment Fund. If we find the necessary money in the Investment Fund by April 1, 2010, the project will greatly improve the mineral and reserve basis of the industry, which is located mostly in the Urals.
Our reserves are becoming depleted, and many types of steel production are importing raw materials. But we have enough raw materials to last hundreds of years, huge reserves, mostly outcrops.
There is one more question that should be discussed and, possibly, added as a textual clause to the resolution approving the draft budget in the first reading. I am referring to bylaws, which the Government must draft to ensure the enforcement of the budget. We must prevent situations when allocations are provided not in January or February, but in April and May, when all departments and those who should use the money are becoming concerned with these bylaws. We would like the resolution to contain a textual clause stipulating that the Government will draft these bylaws in January 2010. This would greatly accelerate the allocation and use of budget funds.
Vladimir Putin: Mr Gryzlov, I fully agree with you. We must ensure a timely provision of funds, and all bylaws must be approved in January. This is a good proposal, and I will draw the Government's attention to it.
As for the other questions you have raised, we have been working hard drafting federal target programmes. As you know, we are launching several new programmes. The Industrial Urals - Polar Urals is an important project on which we have been working for years. It is not ready yet, but I agree that it is a highly promising project that implies joint work with business; it is largely a public-private partnership project. So, let us do as you said. I will write it down.
As for social issues, I have discussed them with President Dmitry Medvedev. Your initiative will be supported. What does it matter to us if a veteran was or was not put on the list by March 1, 2005? In fact, this is a bureaucratic matter, but we will not apply bureaucratic yardsticks to veterans, especially in the year of the 65th anniversary of Victory in World War II. So, we will find the money for this project. However, since we planned to provide housing only to those who were put on the list by May 9, 2010, we cannot say confidently that we will provide housing to all veterans by that date. But all veterans, including those who were not put on the list by March 1, 2005, will receive housing in 2010. This is how it should be done, and we will do it.
Boris Gryzlov: Thank you.