Rustam Minnikhanov takes part in session of Council of Volga Federal District

On June 27 Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov took part in the session held by Plenipotentiary of the Russian President in Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich, who summarized results of work on analysis and monitoring of problems of municipalities in Samara.

Opening the event, Mikhail Babich said that the issue had been discussed before. He continued that work of municipalities is regulated by the Federal Law No.131. A number of problems have been revealed during its practical realization. In particular, he mentioned insufficient resource potential, low fiscal capacity, undue inspections of control bodies, low level of labour payment.

A consulting council for developing local self-government was established to solve these problems. As a result of its work, 240 proposals have been prepared for federal legislative and executive authorities. Most of them are connected with housing and communal sector, and level of financial wellbeing.

Governor of Samara region Nikolay Merkushkin made keynote report on developing local self-government in regions within Volga Federal District. He believes that the problem of low fiscal capacity can be solved by carrying out active investment policy at municipal level. Therefore, a proper legal framework should be created to support investors.

Another form of regions’ investment development is attraction of private investments within the framework of municipal-private partnership. Granting subsidies to municipalities if they achieve indicative rates of social-economic development can have a positive effect on financial situation.

Another urgent issue is disposal of agricultural land plots by municipalities. Local authorities often face problems with preparation of parcel plans and cadastral work.

Improvement of road-transport infrastructure is also a very important issue for all regions. The Governor suggested changing criteria for selecting construction objects in rural areas.