State Council's session

The thirteenth session of the State Council of the Republic of Tatarstan continued its work on November 28-29 .

The session considered in the first reading the law "On the budget of the Republic of Tatarstan for 2003". It was marked, that the budget will incorporate maximum permissible deficiency of 10%, the tasks on budget execution will be difficult, but solvable. The share of welfare sphere will make 64%. Grants for housing sector from the budget will be maintaimed, but direct budgetary financing will be substituted by three forms of grants: on maintenance and major overhaul of housing stock, as well as address indemnity to population.

Session adopted two appeals. The first - to President of the Russian Federation V.Putin - in connection with acceptance by the State Duma and approval by the Council of Federation of an addendum on use of cyrillics in national alphabets of the peoples of Russia. During the discussion President M.Shaimiev asked members of parliament to emphasize that the Russian legislators intruded in the competence of the federation subjects. "This question concerns only republics and at least is a subject of shared competence. Therefore it should be considered jointly", said M.Shaimiev.

The second appeal was addressed to President V.Putin and Chairman of the Government M.Kasyanov in connection with the special letter of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation to the education authorities of subjects, recommending the introduction of a new discipline "Orthodox culture" in schools. In opinion of the State Council's deputies, it infringes with the main principle the state policy in the field of education which provides for "secular character of education in the state and municipal schools".