Valery Butayev
Yesterday, the Government approved a draft law on increasing pensions and other social benefits in 2009.
From March 1, 2009, the labour pension base rate will be increased to 1,950 roubles, and on December 1, to 2,460 roubles, said Prime Minister Putin, opening the Government's meeting.
Over the course of the year, the base pension rate will increase 37%. As a result, by the end of 2009 the average social pension should not be lower than the pensioner's subsistence level, Mr Putin stressed. This goal was set a long time ago, and we will accomplish it within the scheduled time frame.
In addition to the base rate increase, the insured portion of the pension will also be increased by 15.6% starting April 1. This means pensions will be raised three times in total next year. According to a government press release, monthly allowances for Chernobyl disaster survivors, veterans, the disabled, Heroes of Russia, the Soviet Union and Socialist Labour, as well as the full Cavaliers of the Order of Glory will also be increased. These allowances are provided in lieu of social benefits.
Regional administration efficiency was also discussed at yesterday's meeting. Regional authorities' efficiency will be evaluated against criteria important for local residents, said Mr Putin. The evaluation will include income growth, education and the housing and utilities sectors, as well as the investment climate in a region.
In 2007, the regions ineffectively spent about 440 billion roubles, which is about 10% of their total expenditure, Mr Putin said. Were the reforms implemented more actively, these funds could have been spent on public sectors salary increases and investments.
The Prime Minister explained to the regional governors that the Government's financial assistance level will depend on the effectiveness of their work. This year the 20 regions where social reforms are implemented more rapidly and financial resources are expended most efficiently will be provided with bonus incentives from the federal budget. Two billion roubles have been allocated from the federal budget for this purpose.
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MEANWHILE
The Government has increased the unemployment benefit for 2009.
The government press service reported that the minimum unemployment benefit in 2009 would be 850 roubles (currently 781 roubles), and the maximum - 3,400 roubles (currently 3,124 roubles).
