The main issue on the agenda is the fulfilment of federal targeted programmes and the Federal Targeted Investment Programme in 2013.
Dmitry Medvedev’s opening remarks:
Government meeting
Good afternoon. Today we’ll be discussing several issues, including the fulfilment of federal targeted programmes and the Federal Targeted Investment Programme in 2013.
Federally targeted programmes are large government projects that set strategic goals in the country’s development and that are related to major government investments. The total federal funding for federal targeted programmes is more than 1 trillion roubles. This money should reach designated recipients in a timely manner and in full and should be used most efficiently. Our economic and social development, and hence the standard of living in the country directly depend on this.
We are implementing nearly 50 federally targeted programmes, or more precisely 47, and most of them are proceeding efficiently, according to the Ministry of Economic Development. We do have questions about some programmes, but I think the minister will talk about them later. We are doing better than in 2012, when the implementation of five federal targeted programmes was deemed inadequate. This means that those responsible for them have started working harder.
Dmitry Medvedev: "The total federal funding for federal targeted programmes is more than 1 trillion roubles."
Government meeting
At the same time, the co-financing of these programmes from the regional and local budgets and extra-budgetary sources has slackened. We are aware of this problem and have recently discussed it. Last year, the average figure for the implementation of co-financing commitments was around 76% of the plan, which is almost 20% worse than the year before. We must analyse the issue to determine who is not honouring their commitments under these programmes and why. We also need to consider what can be done to stabilize the situation, although inadequate funding of the federal targeted programmes is negatively affecting the development of the regions and the country as a whole. As I said, we have discussed this issue with the regional authorities more than once, but there is no consistent solution because much depends on development rates.
Another obstacle to our onward movement is the belated amendment of the funding parametres, which prevents the timely updating of the state programmes in which federal targeted programmes are included. We must remove this obstacle.
Dmitry Medvedev: "Last year, capital investment volumes reached almost one trillion roubles in budget funding. Various facilities and measures of the Federal Targeted Investment Programme were financed almost completely."
I would like to say a few words about the Federal Targeted Investment Programme. This is capital investment, including investments in facilities being built under state defence contracts.
Last year, capital investment volumes reached almost one trillion roubles in budget funding. Various facilities and measures of the Federal Targeted Investment Programme were financed almost completely, and generally this is not bad. Already this year 528 facilities have been commissioned under the Federal Targeted Investment Programme. But the situation here is worse, and the number of these facilities falls short of the planned targets. This deficit can largely be explained by failure to draft the specific documents needed for timely project funding. Therefore the concerned departments must do their best to comply with the deadlines. The Minister of Economic Development will deliver a more detailed report.
I’d like to cover one more issue regarding persons with impaired health at the start of our meeting. The Government is called on to create opportunities for the self-realisation of these people and those enabling them to achieve professional success. While watching the Paralympic competitions, all of us have realised that they can work wonders and even miracles. Indeed, the Paralympic Winter Games were a real triumph. And we should also create favourable conditions for them in everyday life.
Dmitry Medvedev: "In 2012, Russia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and we must honour the provisions in full. Therefore we will examine a draft law on amending 25 legislative acts at today’s meeting."
We have the Accessible Environment programme which was launched in 2011. The programme aims to create a barrier-free environment for those with impaired mobility to freely visit social and cultural facilities and to use public transit. But this too is not enough.
In 2012, Russia ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and we must honour the provisions in full. Therefore we will examine a draft law on amending 25 legislative acts at today’s meeting. This concerns almost every area of life, and these amendments formalise various mechanisms that will provide equal access for disabled people to services, social facilities, information access and generally to all the main needs in today’s world. This document will also improve the system of medical-social examination and rehabilitation.
Let’s start discussing these things.
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