Among the issues discussed during the meeting was teacher salary, which must, in accordance with the prime minister's instruction, be increased to the level of the average salary for any given region.
"We have been able to increase the wage fund by 20% since June, rather than by 6.5% as planned initially," reported Yevgeny Savchenko enthusiastically. "The average monthly salary for teachers has increased from 15,000 to 17,500 roubles."
However, according to the governor, set objectives have not yet been met, given that the average salary in the region is 19,500 roubles. Yevgeny Savchenko promised to meet the objectives next year, when teachers will earn 20,000-21,100 roubles or "maybe even 22,000 roubles."
Prime Minister Putin was also interested in how the region was dealing with another set objective – the lowering of the infant mortality rate.
The governor responded that "[his region is] one of the top three regions in Russia in terms of the lowest infant mortality rate."
Then the prime minister asked Yevgeny Savchenko about his major regional concerns.
"The airport," said the governor. "We are working to make it one of the best airports in Russia... We would like to ask for your support."
Yevgeny Savchenko also promised to complete the construction of the airport next year. The airport terminal will cost around one billion roubles and regional authorities are ready to cover 100% of that cost. As for the runways and other related infrastructure, the governor promised to contribute 50% of the funding and asked to co-finance the remaining 50% from the federal budget.
The governor mentioned another of the region's projects – the construction of two motor roads, which also require additional funding.
"These are the 2011 projects for which we require support," the governor demonstrated, showing charts and documents. "Look, here is Belgorod and this is Stary Oskol. It is like a single agglomeration with a population of one million. Currently, they are connected by..."
"... a very narrow road," said the prime minister, showing his awareness.
Yevgeny Savchenko pointed out that the cost is only 68-69 million roubles per kilometre, the lowest in the country, and asked the prime minister for his support.
"Money will be allocated for the regional road fund," Putin agreed.
Sergei Semushkin