Alexey Ilyich, how would you assess the results of the spring session?
Alexey Eremeev: The seventh call turned out to be very fruitful. Legislative initiatives that were presented to the State Assembly were considered. One of the most important is the adjustment of the parameters of the state budget of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). In the context of intensive budget planning, we were able to allocate another 800 million rubles to the development of agriculture.
Additionally, I would like to point out the republican law on additional measures to protect our interests in PJSC AK ALROSA. The law was approved when the company had the legal form of a limited liability company. It is now a public limited company. Consequently, the law was updated. Our shares are freely traded on the stock exchange and we have allocated 25 percent plus one share to the Sakha Republic (Yakutia). If the board decides on an additional issue of shares, the interests of the republic will be respected. Now, without the adoption of a separate law by the Parliament of Yakutia, it will be impossible to reduce the participation of the Sakha Republic. Parliament is the main body that makes relevant decisions.
The next thing I would like to point out is the problem of stray animals. This is a very resonant topic. Last year, the State Duma adopted a law according to which the constituent entities of the Russian Federation had the right to further establish appropriate standards on their territory. The public expected such a law from us and in the last plenary session it was approved in its final reading.
The approval in first reading of a bill on measures to further limit the retail sale of alcoholic beverages in public catering establishments was very important. These are the so-called fake coffees or “nalivayki”. The task is to place them within the framework of the law and limit the field of activity, especially in apartment buildings. I hope that in the fall we will approve the law in its final reading so that it comes into force on March 1 of next year.
In addition, a wide range of work was related to additional assistance to large families and families of servicemen serving in the zone of special military operations.
How is the interaction with federal authorities structured?
Alexey Eremeev: We are currently paying attention to the implementation of the resolution of the Federation Council, adopted on December 23, 2022. Much has been done to implement it, but there are issues that require further progress. First of all, the construction of an infectious diseases hospital is a capital-intensive project. We have repeatedly appealed through our senators to the Government of the Russian Federation. The budget request is currently being considered by the Russian Ministry of Health and in July it will be submitted to a special government commission. We are assured that the project will start in 2026, but the republic is interested in this happening in 2025. I really hope so.
The second issue is additional subsidies for Republican air transport. To solve the problem, it is necessary to make appropriate changes to the rules for providing government subsidies. For example, the Republican budget subsidizes nine seats out of fifty on An-24 flights. The objective is to increase the number of subsidized chairs to twenty. For this we need the help of the federal center.
One of the most important legislative initiatives is the adjustment of the parameters of the state budget of the Sakha Republic (Yakutia).
An extremely urgent issue is the reconstruction of our airports. The issue is complex in terms of runways and air terminal complexes. In general, according to the resolution of the Federation Council, the work continues, because it is a comprehensive plan that is designed for five years.
If we talk about specific bills, we are at the goal in terms of the adoption of a document that clarifies the procedure for the treatment of municipal solid waste. Today a situation has arisen in which municipalities do not have an authorized site to work with solid waste, so the sixth call of Il Tumen initiated a federal bill that provides some relief for the regions of the Far North and regions equivalents. The bill successfully passed the first reading, we are waiting for the next stage.
Now we are also waiting for the implementation of the long-awaited Federal Law “On Northern Deliveries”. How will this affect the population? Will specific support measures be identified for northern delivery operators? At what prices will imported products reach the consumer? We will keep all this under constant control. We have a certain agreement with the relevant ministries and the State Duma committee. If necessary, we are willing to make the necessary modifications on behalf of Il Tumen.
What priority tasks are proposed for the next period?
Alexey Eremeev: The autumn session will begin with the approval of the budget for 2025, 2026, 2027. Our main task in these conditions is not to increase the national debt but to adopt a fairly balanced financial document.
The largest infrastructure project is planned: the construction of the Lena Bridge. If this is finally decided with the federal center, we will contribute our own funds in the budget of the republic for co-financing.
At the last plenary session, when considering the report of the head of Yakutia and the executive authorities, in my speech I focused on one big problem – the increase in the costs of housing and communal services. At the end of 2023, we are close to 80 billion rubles. Let’s take the structure of municipal budgets. In addition to payments to state employees, funds for heating are also included there. If we add the expenses of the 35 district and city budgets and add almost 80 billion from the Republican budget, the amount becomes colossal. And it will only grow. Therefore, there is an urgent need to reform this industry.
Of course, all the bills we passed on first reading during the spring session will need to be adopted on second and final reading. There is a plan approved by resolution of the Yakutia State Assembly, which we will strictly comply with.
