"We are facing these delightful chores this year, just as last, to slice out extra revenues," remarked Mr. Putin as he sat in conference with federal ministers today. He asked Hermann Gref to sum up his ministry's analyses of certain projects.
"We have done all assignments the President and the Prime Minister posed us this year. Our analyses helped to highlight what needs urgent financing. We reported to Premier Fradkov, Friday last, and drafted a related bill within the weekend to offer to the State Duma [parliament's lower house]," said the minister.
Before the year's end, the Defence Ministry will receive another five billion roubles, roughly US$180 million, for arms purchases, three billion roubles to buy fuel and lubricants, and another two billion for transport fares. Allocations will be made to improve military commandants' offices and Interior troops bases in the North Caucasus.
Mr. Gref next came over to road construction. A lump five billion roubles has been earmarked to build a detour in Sochi, posh Black Sea coastal spa, a tunnel leading to Krasnaya Polyana, its suburb, for metro construction in Kazan, Tatarstan's capital, and a detour in St. Petersburg.
1.5 billion roubles was saved on the latest presidential election campaign, and will be channelled to social welfare.
"All the money will be used up before the year's end," German Gref rounded off his report.
Extra allocations will be made to Russia's constituent entities to help them prepare to the cold season, and in connection with a competence delineation law, to enter into force January 1, added Alexander Zhukov, Deputy Prime Minister.
"January is a chain of holidays, so budget revenues dwindle. That is why regions will get more allocations-in particular, to implement the welfare grant law," he added.
