MOSCOW, November 29 (Itar-Tass) — The Russian government has approved a state program for social support of the population in general, although some of its aspects, such as those related to the maternity capital and funding of children’s summer vacationing, need further elaboration, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets said on Thursday.
“The state program for social support of the population was approved in general. There were only two outstanding problems – regarding the prolongation of the maternity capital program and funding of children’s summer vacationing,” she told journalists after a meeting of the government. “Although the program classifies these two provisions as ongoing, a kind of break has been made to decide on their volumes.”
“Initially, these programs had their implementation terms,” she noted. Thus, the maternity capital program was designed for a ten-year period. “This ten-year period is expiring, so we should make a clear decision either to extend this program or not. Our position, the position of the social sector is that this program should be supported because it is vital from the demographical point of view. And this is a very important element of the social policy.”
“This problem will be talked over to reach a final decision,” she added.