Tens of thousands of Bashkortostan residents address deputies annually.
This year, the amount of written requests to the republic's parliament increased twofold.
Contact confirmed!
For the last ten years, since the construction of a pumping station for the new quarters of the village of Yermolayevo, Kuyurgaza District, began, people have been talking about drinking water in the future tense. Every year, the local authorities brushed aside scores of messages that revealed the residents' irritation. The weak voice of the public could not be heard by the authorities, but a newly opened reception office of Vladimir Putin's United Russia managed to attract the deputies' attention. The republic's government, together with the party's office, started working on the water problem. Funds were allocated from the local budget, and in March, the station is supposed to start operating.
The Ufa District administration answered far more quickly when the request was sent by United Russia. It appeared that the government only lacked 2.5 million roubles to finish renovating the water system in the village of Cherkassy, but people were patient enough to live three years without these basic necessities.
720 people addressed the party's reception office during its first 100 days of work. Every fifth message was for United Russia's leader himself. The most massive was the outcry from parents of students at the republic's Economic Security Academy under the Russian Interior Ministry. The academy is being dissolved and its students are facing an unclear future. After United Russia's office received the request, the administration of the republic's President had a meeting with rectors of regional institutions of higher learning and they decided to help the students complete their education.
In the reception office, there is not only a "window" to the Prime Minister's reception office, but also a centre of the deputies that represent the republic in the Russian State Duma. About one-third of the requests concern the housing sphere, while every fifth message is about pensions. Many residents also criticise the activity of the government and local authorities.
The power of words
Presidential envoys to the federal districts have a rule about speaking directly with those they serve. Eight years ago, reception offices of the presidential envoy to the Volga Federal District appeared. Now people can not only send a message to the President, but also meet with the envoys.
Nevertheless, deputies are the closest and most accessible. All questions the republic's State Assembly was asked can be divided into two groups: first - the lesser one - are suggestions to change the legislation, and the second group involves different requests.
Of course, a deputy can even provide financial help, but only using his own money, which happens in very exceptional cases.
Special case
For many years, the biggest problem for the residents of the village of Naryshevo has been the absence of a bus stop on the odd-numbered side of the road to the town of Oktyabrsky. People living on nine streets had to wait for a bus for a long time everyday, and only a deputy of the State Assembly was able to help. Another deputy helped the department of culture of the Buzdyak District to buy an accordion. One more deputy gave a yurt to the Chuyunchi village council to use during festivals. Some deputies were even more generous - they presented several cars and construction vehicles and medical and school equipment.
During his time in office, a deputy accepts, on average, 860 visitors, receives 420 letters, listens to hundreds of spoken messages, and holds up to 150 meetings with his electorate.
Messages are the same every year; they are similar to those that go to other executive power bodies.
In most cases, deputies act as legal experts, and explain to voters why their requests cannot be fulfilled.
Alexander Degtyarev, the republic's State Assembly deputy and head of the regional reception office of the United Russia party in Bashkortostan, said: "Such a reception office provides important information about the situation in the region. It allows us to measure the ‘social temperature' and receive objective feedback. People ask all kinds of questions, both private and public. Most of their problems can be solved at the local level, and so they are. But why not on the first try? We receive messages from those who have addressed many agencies and bodies of different levels and did not get satisfaction. At the same time, people should understand that we are not fakirs and don't engage in populism. To fulfil a request, we don't put pressure on courts or change court decisions. There is one law for everybody, and preferences for anyone are intolerable."
Messages addressed to the republic's reception offices in 2008:
39.9% concerned the activity of internal affairs agencies, courts, prosecutor's offices, and municipalities;
18% housing sphere;
9.9% social services and social security;
7.6% working conditions and salaries;
6.3% health;
3.8% financial issues;
3.3% trade and consumer rights.
Borodin Denis (Bashkortostan)