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Putin demands implementation of May decrees despite regional finance problems

NOVO-OGARYOVO, March 27. /ITAR-TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that regional leaders implement the presidential decrees issued in May 2012 despite financial problems.

"Yes, we know the situation with regional finances. And the Finance Ministry should respond to it accordingly, but the decrees must be implemented. I want the regional leaders, the senators representing their interests, and FC members to take it as a premise," Putin said at a meeting with members of the Federation Council upper house of Russia's parliament.

The president noted that despite certain problems, a majority of Russian provinces were implementing the presidential decrees of May 2012, related to welfare policies.

The issue of the implementation of the May decrees was raised by FC speaker Valentina Matviyenko. "All senators are monitoring the situation in the regions," she noted. "I wish to say that nobody has the slightest doubts or objections to the necessity and importance of their implementation."

"A majority of provinces are implementing the May decrees, but we must be honest: the situation is not that fine," Matviyenko acknowledged.

She explained it by insufficient funding of regional budgets and their weak revenue.

The speaker called for strengthening the financial basis of the regions and local bodies. The Federation Council has passed the relevant proposals to the Finance Ministry, she said.

Terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall

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