15 June 2004 16:38
Kremlin focuses on deprived children`s holidays as summer gets under way
[Presenter] The president and government today discussed the draft budget for 2005 and progress with federal
programmes. Vladimir Putin also issued a number of instructions to ministers, in particular to pay more attention to the
needs of orphans and children without guardians and to safety during military exercises. Pavel Pchelkin reports with the
details.
[Correspondent] Summer is at its height, and at today's meeting with the cabinet of ministers the president
urged them to focus on summer holidays for children. Mikhail Zurabov, the health and social development minister,
reported that holidays for 11m children have been organized this year - at a cost to the budget of R500m more than last
year.
[Putin] Specifically, if you can, about holidays for children from Chechnya.
[Zurabov] R150m have been allocated to the needs of the Chechen Republic this year. This will enable us to send
23,000 children on holiday to improve their health. Over R48m are already on account for this purpose, and I can tell
you that over 2,000 children have already had a holiday. The holiday camps for them are in Karachay-Cherkessia,
Kabarda-Balkaria and Stavropol Territory. We have inspected the camps and they are ready.
[Correspondent] Particular attention will be paid to children whose home lives are difficult, the minister said. When
asked by the president, he explained that this meant children from broken homes and orphanages, or whose parents are
unemployed.
[Putin] Also, we must not forget about children without guardians and the programme that was set up for them, so that
they do not miss out.
[Zurabov] We will try not to overlook them. [Passage omitted]
[Correspondent] Also during this meeting in the Kremlin, Finance Minister Aleksey Kudrin reported that the draft
budget for 2005 has revenues in excess of R3,000bn. The budget calculations include a reduction in the rate of social
tax. It also includes extra money for social issues.
[Channel One TV] |
RUSSIA IN FACTS
