The central issues on the agenda included the 2012 results of the implementation of measures included in the federal targeted programme Social Development of Rural Areas to 2013 and the draft federal targeted programme Sustainable Development of Rural Areas in 2014-2017 and to 2020.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister of Agriculture said that one of the key tasks of the Russian agrarian policy is to create comfortable and civilised conditions for sustainable development of rural areas, and to attract young qualified specialists to this end. The programme of sustainable development of rural areas must include thorough regional and municipal programmes, plans for developing social and utility infrastructure in rural areas and general plans of rural towns. According to the Minister, a comprehensive approach to the implementation of the programme encompasses practically all aspects of rural life.
Reporting on the results of the implementation of the federal targeted programme in 2012, Dmitry Toropov, Director of the Rural Development and Social Policy Department, said that the federal budget allocation for the programme amounted to 10.02 billion roubles. Sixty one percent of the allocation was channelled toward improving housing conditions of rural residents; 14% was channelled toward gasification of villages, 16% – for water supply to rural locations and 9% – for other purposes.
According to Mr Toropov, with this allocation, 4,200 kilometres of gas networks were commissioned in 788 locations, 50,800 flats and homes received gas supply; 2,300 kilometres of local water supply pipes in 667 locations were commissioned, central heating was commissioned for 27,700 flats and homes in 667 locations and 526.6 kilometres of roads were built.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture
