PETROPAVLOVSK-KAMCHATSKY, August 23 (Itar-Tass) — Kamchatka Territory governor Vladimir Ilyukhin relieved the local government of its duties, the governor's press service told Itar-Tass.
Two deputy governors and eight deputies of the regional prime minister have been dismissed since August 23, as well as 12 regional ministers and directors of agencies, Ilyukhin said. They will continue to perform their duties until the appointment of new ministers.
Commenting on his decision, the governor noted that mass media outlets had recently criticized the regional government's performance. "It's inadmissible for an official of any level to have its named mentioned in criminal reports," he said adding that the local Minister of Sport and Tourism, Viktor Kravchenko, who is under investigation on suspicion of fraud, had been fired, too."
"The persons who have tarnished their reputation cannot be in government bodies," Ilyukhin said.
The new Kamchatka government will be formed within a month. All the candidates will be carefully checked by law-enforcement bodies. A number of incumbent ministers who have proven their efficiency will keep their post, according to the governor.
"The government's resignation is not rank-cleansing; it's a kind of check, a performance evaluation. I want everybody aspiring to a civil servants job to realize his measure of responsibility. Hopefully, a number of officials will be able to keep their posts and continue work, because they are top specialists with considerable experience. But again, I'm repeating myself - those who have tarnished their reputation, who have not lived up to the confidence in them will be dismissed," Ilyukhin said.