Agenda: draft federal laws, budgetary allocations.
Government meeting
Mikhail Mishustin’s opening remarks:
Good afternoon, colleagues.
The agenda of our meeting today includes a package of three draft laws which should increase the quality of social support. In accordance with the President’s instructions, it must be made more targeted. Support must be provided to those who need it the most.
We have a comprehensive system of federal and regional incentives, and it is sometimes difficult to find one’s bearings in it. Many people, especially those who live in rural and remote areas, are simply unaware of the kinds of state support they are entitled to.
A special digital platform – the integrated state social protection information system – has been created to deal with these issues based on information provided by many agencies. After the amendments to the legislation are adopted, it will be used to better identify the families in difficult financial circumstances who need state assistance.
The system will be replenished with information supplied by the Federal Taxation Service, the Interior Ministry of Russia and the Federal Service for State Registration, Cadastre and Cartography (Rosreestr). This is necessary for accurately calculating the average household income per capita.
Amendments to the legislation will help us not only to expedite the provision of social support measures but also to personally inform people about all allowances, payments and other opportunities available to low-income households. Moreover, we will be able to do this proactively.
This is an important part of our efforts to create a social treasury mechanism for a fairer system of social protection the people need.
We will also discuss assistance to cultural institutions, which are in trouble because of the pandemic. There are various restrictions on attending cultural events. As a result, theatres, museums, concert and exhibition halls are suffering financially. Their income has decreased, but they still have to honour their utility, tax and other payment obligations, as well as pay salaries to personnel in full.
The Government will allocate over 2 billion roubles to help our cultural institutions. This will allow them to keep their personnel and continue their operation. This is not the first support measure we have adopted during the pandemic, and we will continue helping such organisations.
Another issue on our agenda today concerns space exploration. Russia is maintaining a leading position in this sphere worldwide.
In accordance with the President’s instructions, the Government will allocate an additional 6.5 billion roubles for the development of the space industry, including the unconditional fulfilment of our obligations in this area. Russia has always been a reliable partner who strictly complies with all the agreements reached.
Today the national space industry is facing serious strategic tasks. The most ambitious plans concern deep space research and development. It is important to increase the effectiveness of the entire industry, further develop our research potential and improve infrastructure.
