Rustam Minnikhanov: Our common task today is to pay special attention to each veteran of the Great Patriotic War

On May 8, at a meeting of the Regional organizing committee on holding the 70th anniversary of Victory in Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945 Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said: “Our common task today is to pay special attention to each veteran of the Great Patriotic War and not on a case by case basis. All veterans should feel care about them.”

Rustam Minnikhanov stressed that the work on preparation and celebration of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War should be carried out in an organized and systematic manner in Tatarstan.

He also said that today much work has been done to improve social conditions of veterans, including living standard, health care and provision of medicines.

"In April 2014, the next tranche amounting to 284 million roubles was received from the budget of the Russian Federation to improve living conditions of 248 veterans. I ask the Ministry of Construction and State Housing Fund, heads of municipalities to ensure good performance of all the necessary works," Rustam Minnikhannov said.

Tatarstan President also said that subsidies to improve living conditions of another 328 veterans have not been provided and 375 million roubles are required for this purpose. The solution of this issue is the priority task of Tatarstan Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Protection and Ministry of Finance, he added.

Upon the initiative of the United Russia party, a social campaign “Our dear veteran” to create comfortable conditions for treatment of veterans at Tatarstan in-patient medical facilities has started in Tatarstan .

He also noted that more than 14 thousand veterans and home front workers passed away for the last year.

The main issue on the agenda of today's organizing committee is patriotic education of youth, Tatarstan President reminded. According to him, certain work is being done in the republic in this area. Thus, a Coordination Council for patriotic education has been established, significant work is being carried out by the Regional Center for sports and patriotic pre-service training of youth "Patriot", youth voluntary organisations and search groups, association "Fatherland". In addition, the content of such traditional and important forms of patriotic work as meetings of young people with veterans of the Great Patriotic War, "Lessons of Courage", month's campaigns of defense-mass and military-patriotic work is being improved.

Tatarstan President also noted improvements in the work of search groups. More than 500 soldiers were found and buried last year. It is pleasant that this noble work is being done by our young people, students, he said.

Alongside with positive aspects, there are some shortcomings in our work, Rustam Minnikhanov stated. Thus, 182 people are evading military service in the republic. Illegal acts against war veterans that occured in Kazan and Bugulma give rise to our concern, Tatarstan President said.

Making a report at the meeting, Tatarstan Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Education and Science Engel Fattakhov, told about the work on educating youth in the spirit of patriotism and forming an active citizens` position.

Mayor of Naberezhnye Chelny Vasil Shayhrazieva made a report on the development of cadet education, patriotic education of the younger generation.