Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:
Vladimir Putin: Mr Zimin, we have discussed in fair detail all aspects of the restoration of the Sayano-Shushenskaya Hydroelectric Power Plant as well as of assistance for the victims. I want to take the matter up once again. Restoration concerns must and will be handled by RusHydro and the Government which will also manage the energy needs, mostly heat, for the region, especially in the autumn and winter.
But your contribution is also significant. So I am expecting you to be active in fulfilling the decisions we have adopted today and in seeing that everything we have scheduled will be completed.
In matters of welfare aid and support for individual victims and family members who died or are missing, we must combine our efforts. You, of course, are responsible for the greater share of this assistance.
As agreed, I ask you to draw up lists as soon as possible not only of those who died but also of those reported missing. No doubt the lists should be in agreement with the relevant federal ministries and departments.
You promised to do this within a week. Take as much as two weeks, but these lists must be final and - I reiterate - fully checked.
On the basis of these documents, RusHydro - you must have heard I instructed them to compensate not only to the families of the dead, but also to the families of those reported missing - will make additional payments. The federal Government will do the same, in the amount of a million roubles - both from the company and the federal Government.
Unfortunately, existing legislation does not regulate these matters adequately and meticulously. It places considerable limits on the amount of compensation. But we will discover resources and find legal ways of solving these questions.
However, the cash compensation for the injured and for the families of those killed or missing in the accident is not all the social support necessary. There are other social issues, including support for underage children, education, employment and, in some cases, housing. I am asking you now to summarise all these issues for me and present your proposals.
In addition, I think it necessary that you and your representatives personally meet with the people injured in the accident and the families of those killed or missing, together with the RusHydro managers. We need to work out a cooperative policy - regional authorities, RusHydro management and the federal government must coordinate a single plan to handle these social issues. I am expecting you in Moscow as soon as possible.
Viktor Zimin: Mr Putin, thank you very much for taking this attitude from the first moments of the accident. You called me right away, and we talked, although the connection wasn't good - we were interrupted four times.
I have been working according to your instructions, and I will continue doing so. For us, the residents of Khakassia, the content of today's meeting first and foremost means support. We had been apprehensive about the government's position on rebuilding... but what we heard today is a straightforward programme, especially regarding support for the victims.
Personally, I promise to you that I will see to every specific issue, anything we included in this meeting's protocol or mentioned today. This tragedy concerns our people, in fact a very large percentage for such a small town. This town has seen the birth of three generations. The people involved are mainly the children of the initial builders of the hydroelectric power plant. We'll make every effort to support them.
Vladimir Putin: There is one other issue - employment and jobs. You will have to analyze the situation with the company and make relevant plans. Apart from this, there is another range of problems.
You will have to prepare for the coming winter, given that the plant won't be working certainly for the next few months. We will do everything we can to ensure power supplies. But there are related social issues here. You'll need to carefully monitor all the processes in the local economy.
Viktor Zimin: Be sure I will study these issues and report to you, Mr Prime Minister.
Vladimir Putin: Good.