29 April 2004 17:37
Russian minister slams attempts to reduce benefits for disabled
Moscow, 29 April. Russian Emergencies Minister Sergey Shoygu has scathingly criticized the proposals worked out by
the Ministry of Health and Social Development to replace veterans' and invalids' benefits with monetary
compensation.
"A normal person will never agree to the replacement, because that is several times less than what he is getting
now," Shoygu stressed at the cabinet meeting on Thursday [29 April].
By way of example, the emergencies minister pointed out that, according to the relevant draft law, a Hero of the
Soviet Union will be able to receive R795 per month together with all his benefits. Moreover, the volume of petrol
permitted the Hero is worth more than R1,000.
"Not a single normal Hero will agree to that - R795 and one concession - burial and a bust at the state's
expense," the minister stated.
Shoygu was also dissatisfied with the amount of compensation to be paid for a telephone - R50. "Where can you
get a telephone for R50," Shoygu asked the health minister, Mikhail Zurabov.
[RIA news agency] |
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