M.Shaimiev: "Local self-government raising questions good "

III congress of RT municipalities council took place on the premises of Kazan’s cultural-entertainment complex “the Pyramid” on May 26. Republic of Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev addressed forum participants, underlined current issues in the work of local self-government institutions.

The head of the Republic started by thanking the heads of municipalities and rural communities with successful implementation of last year’s December elections into Russian Federation State Duma and current year’s March elections of the President of the Russian Federation. "Thanks to guidance of the “United Russia” party and your efforts, both of these important political events were organized and held in an efficient civilized manner", - said Mintimer Shaimiev. He reminded that 2009 will be the year of next elections into the RT State Council. "I hope we’ll organize them well also, because all future achievements are possible thanks to good body of deputies.

It should be noted, "United Russia" is no more a party of parliamentarians only, it is turning into a real party of the people. All of you know it’s headed by Vladimir Putin, the Prime-Minister of the Russian Federation, who, during his 8 years as the President, managed to pull the country out of the crisis. It’s obvious that now he would like to see the country blossom. Growing our country stronger, making it competitive – is an important and no easy task ", - added the President.

"Local self-government is a new institution for us. Claims that success in self-governance will be achieved as soon as the authority for decision making will be passed on are groundless. Generally speaking, even if slowly, municipalities gain experience. Thanks Almighty, the government got strengthened by experienced people from various sectors of economy. Local self-government raising questions and uncovering problems by their activities is good, this is how you show your authority", - said Mintimer Shaimiev. He noted importance of learning ways to earn money if municipalities want to increase their budgets. Addressing the issue of sources of income, the President advised looking into ways of increasing base for taxation.

Head of the Republic underlined this year’s growth rates should not fall behind those achieved last year. For the first four months of 2008 Tatarstan’s economy grew at a rate of 3,5%. "We need to talk with every producer, help them find ways to achieve set goals. It’s important that increased production be followed by increased income", - he said.

President mentioned that some rural settlements have decreasing numbers of heads of cattle. "We cannot allow this. Investors coming to villages is a positive factor. Their activeness leads to increased production, jobs for rural dwellers. Still private farmers & partnerships need to be given real attention", - he underlined. Mintimer Shaimiev also touched on the issue of lower wholesale buyer prices paid to private sector. He stated that large-scale milk production is a good step. If lost, reviving milk production would require great efforts. Tatarstan produced milk being of high quality, the head of the Republic reassured the right prices will be back.

"We promised people to build good quality roads in the villages and so postponed many other programs. I believe we’ll manage to stand up to our word. Previously we’ve taken care of dilapidated housing, brought natural gas to all settlements, worked on other issues. We’ll now take care of the roads everywhere, as well as street illumination", - said Mintimer Shaimiev.

The head of the Republic stated that Tatarstan is one of the leading regions of the Russian Federation by amount of discounted housing provided to civil servants, rural dwellers and young families. "I have some discontent towards some rural municipalities. We are providing grants for building housing. This grant program is not related to previously constructed housing. Let us not disregard the law this way. President of the Russian Federation Dmirtry Medvedev defined fighting corruption as a priority. Unfortunately we still witness relatively many incidents of investigation into the activities local self-government heads. Some are tempted to taste the fruit forbidden by the government authorities’ decisions. We need to be able to pass this test truthfully", - he said.

Addressing the issue of optimizing school system, Mintimer Shaimiev stated that ethnic component is included, so when tasks were set, efforts were made not to damage ethnic education system. "We cannot avoid closing small schools in the villages, if we are to provide all schools with contemporary equipment and necessary activities. Children should live in current times. So we should find ways to combine schools together, providing conditions to make our future generations competitive", - he said. "Talking about the end of ethnic component, please understand nobody is suggesting to get rid of teaching in Tatar. We will find ways to overcome misunderstandings and discontent ", - spoke the head of the Republic.

Talking about the healthcare, the President underlined great attention given to providing the medical institutions with up-to-date equipment. He stated that beginning 2008 doctors in the Republic are to be capable of performing 800 cardiovascular system operations a year, maximum current figure being 336. "In the first quarter of the current year birth-rate increased by 10,6%, death-rate keeps decreasing", - reported the head of the Republic.

"We have finally started works on capital reconstruction. Federal appropriations for the purpose amount to 5 billion rubles", - said Mintimer Shaimiev. The head of the Republic also stressed the importance of Tatarstan’s participation in the competition for the right to hold Universiade.

Solid waste removal was another important issue in the agenda. “Once the need to get rid of waste started to be felt, the ways to make it happen will be studied”, - stated Mintimer Shaimiev. The work is to be started by large rural settlements.

The congress was attended by RT Prime-minister Mr.Rustem Minnekhanov, deputy head of RT State Council Ms.Rimma Ratnikova, head of the RT President’s Administration Mr.Yury Kamaltynov, first deputy of RT Prime-minister Mr.Ravil Moratov, Kazan city mayor Mr.Ilsur Metshin, head of Naberezhnyje Chelny municipality Mr.Ildar Khalikov, heads of 998 municipalities.