Version for the visually impaired
Lev Kuznetsov told that the program’s priority is to reduce regional disparities.
He said that the first phase of the program had focused on social aspects: chiefly education and public health. “Today – he pointed out – the North Caucasus showed the highest fertility rate among the federal districts at the beginning of 2015. Mortality is also one and a half time lower than the national average”.
There is still a lack of professional medical personnel at the regional level: 35 thousand medical staff per 82 thousand inhabitants.
Kuznetsov stressed that significant work has been underway to build and re-construct schools in the region.
“We increase the amount of liabilities with resources getting scarce. No matter how hard it is, we should tighten our belts on social spending and accentuate the development of the real sector of economy. Otherwise, we will create a giant with feet of clay that will obviously collapse: the regional budgets will not cope with problems in an appropriate way even with federal support”.
He noticed that the problem of incomplete use of budget resources did take place due to lack of clear priorities. For instance, a hospital was built for which there were no resources to acquire necessary equipment.
A new version of the federal development program envisages that regions are responsible for implementing projects. The document also highlights economic development: reduction of unemployment and tax base replenishment with a view to address social challenges.
He also said that it is federal development program that should play a key role in constructing schools, roads, hospitals and kindergartens.