Kaluga Region Governor Anatoly Artamonov reported to the prime minister on work done in his region.
Vladimir Putin began the meeting by noting that the region's investment climate is favourable on the whole and inquired about the situation in the social sphere and agriculture.
"Today, there are a lot of social grants," Anatoly Artamonov said. "One of them seems exotic, and has led to some jokes at my expense. Single mothers receive 5,000 roubles a month until the child is seven, plus 4,500 roubles until the child turns three, which used to be 18 months."
The state also supports nursing mothers as soon as they get registered as well as PE teachers. All in all, the region spends a billion roubles per year. Artamonov claims the results are undeniable. Payments for single mothers helped reduce the number of abortions and increase the birth rate. "Since PE teachers began to receive money for working with pupils after classes, the gyms have been busy until midnight."
The governor said the agricultural sector now has "normal owners with money."
"If we make the initial investment, crop yields will reach 40 centners per hectare or more," the governor said, adding that he has invited Viktor Zubkov to inspect advanced farms. "I want to show him unique projects, especially beef production. It is a US cattle breed, Aberdeen Angus – four people are taking care of 6,000 heads. Last year we held the first auction of pedigree cattle in 100 years. The average selling price was $80,000 per head."
Sergei Semushkin
