Tatarstan President: “Anti-corruption work will be continued in the republic”

On November 20, speaking at a session of the Tatarstan Presidential Anti-Corruption Council, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that the republic has put a lot of effort into anti-corruption work, but much remains to be done to overcome existing problems in a number of areas. Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, heads of ministries, agencies, and heads of municipal regions took part in the session.

The session discussed reduction of corruption risks when using the state (municipal) property, budget funds and negative impact of troublesome organizations on the economic security of the republic.

Opening the session, Tatarstan President reminded that currently the economic growth rate of the republic is behind the desired one. “The regional budget has a significant deficit, tax arrears are huge. Under these conditions no losses in the economic growth reserves are allowed. First of all it concerns the inefficient use of the property," he said.

He said that as a result of the inventory carried out in 2013-2014 more than 31,000 land plots were found to have no right registration in Tatarstan. "There is a significant reserve to replenish the budget, the registration of land plots should be completed by the end of the year,” Minnikhanov said.

According to Tatarstan President, the control over the use of budgetary funds for the implementation of major infrastructure projects and development of the social sphere should be stricter. In the last four years, state financial authorities revealed violations amounting to about 200 million roubles in these areas.

Also, according to Minnikhanov, the work on tax collection should be intensified. Currently, tax arrears to the regional budget exceeded 5 billion roubles.

The Head of Tatarstan Presidential Department on Anti-Corruption Policy made a report on violations relating to corruption revealed in the regional municipalities.

Summing up, the President thanked the law-enforcement agencies for their work in the fight against corruption. "In recent years we have worked very hard, but much work remains to be done, including land issues and cooperation with one-day firms. And anti-corruption work will be continued in the republic," he said.