“Rossiyskaya Gazeta – Nedelya”: “Old Debt”
Alexei Kudrin reported to Vladimir Putin on the compensation payments for Soviet-era deposits, which were frozen in 1991. These include Sberbank deposits and Gosstrakh (currently Rosgosstrakh) insurance policies.
"We have certain obligations," Putin said at the working meeting with the Finance Minister. "What will be done this year?"
Kudrin presented a detailed report to the prime minister on the amounts and phases of the protracted compensation programme.
"In previous years, we used to reimburse one thousand roubles for each one thousand roubles of deposit," the finance minister reminded. "Then, we raised the rate to two thousand roubles. And some individuals, primarily war veterans, received reimbursement for the remaining deposit balance based on a one-to-one rate."
This year, all other individuals will receive compensation for the remaining balances of their deposits based on the one-to-one rate from the frozen amount, Kudrin said. And in 2010, those deposit owners who are currently 64 and older will receive a three-fold compensation. Those under the age of 64 will be reimbursed two roubles for every one rouble.
"We didn't freeze the deposits," Putin said. "But today we are still responsible for resolving the issue fairly."
The prime minister instructed Kudrin to ensure that all funds earmarked for the compensation payments next year are allocated in full and to continue compensations in the future.
