The federal expert working group has considered the first Internet petition that has gathered over 100,000 votes on the Russian Public Initiative portal. The initiative bans officials and employees of companies with government (or municipal) participation from purchasing cars worth over 1.5 million roubles (37,395 euro). The vote concluded with 100,807 registered users voting in favour of, and 279 against the initiative.
“The expert working group does not approve or reject initiatives but rather decides whether to continue working on them,” Mikhail Abyzov, the head of the expert group and the Minister of Open Government, said. He added that government spending covering the needs of public servants is regulated by Federal Law No 94-FZ, dated July 21, 2005, On the Placement of Orders to Supply Goods, Carry Out Works and Render Services for Meeting State and Municipal Needs. The law will stay in force until the end of 2013. Federal Law No 44-FZ, dated April 5, 2013, On the Contract System for the State and Municipal Procurement of Goods, Works and Services comes in force on January 1, 2014. “The new law will limit spending, which is not set by law, but by regulations issued by the Government and ministries,” Mr Abyzov said.
The expert group members have concurred that the problem requires a comprehensive approach. Mr Abyzov said that up to 90% of vehicles purchased by federal, regional and municipal officials are worth anywhere from 600,000 to 900,000 roubles. “Some experts are absolutely certain that limiting the maximum purchase price to 1.5 million roubles will lead to Government spending increasing to this figure,” the Minister said.
He added that the concern expressed by the public mandates that this problem be addressed comprehensively. The Russian Public Initiative portal features other popular initiatives that also limit public funds spent on car purchases to 900,000 or 1 million roubles.
The working group will draft an expert report and will advise the Government to further consider this issue in a comprehensive manner taking into account the law on the federal procurement system, opinions by experts, relevant ministries and agencies, public organisations, and deputies, and other petitions submitted to the Russian Public Initiative portal.
Source: Open Government
