Most public issues can be resolved by local authorities independently - Anatoly Linevich

Most of the population's problems can be resolved by local authorities independently, without significant financial expenditure.

Most of the population's problems can be resolved by local authorities independently, without significant financial expenditure. This opinion was expressed to journalists by the President's Aide - Inspector for the Vitebsk Region, Anatoly Linevich, commenting on the results of a citizens' reception in Beshenkovichi.

The citizens' reception was combined with a direct telephone line. A woman from the agro-town of Verkhovye, who called in, reported that her child has health problems and finds it difficult to participate in vocational training, but medical professionals are not granting exemptions from lessons. The main department for education of the regional executive committee has been instructed to address this issue.

Two residents of the agro-town of Drozdý approached with a question regarding the gasification of their homes for heating. According to a local resident, gas was planned to be installed since 2007, but no progress has been made. Now, gas service providers and the district executive committee, with the involvement of regional authorities, are to handle this matter.

"Sometimes there are contentious issues that require further instructions. Local authorities are not always working effectively, but in the vast majority of cases, most of the people's problems can be resolved at the district level without significant expenditure," noted Anatoly Linevich.

Some issues require more thorough consideration. A resident of the village of Sokorovo complained that several hundred square meters of land, which she had been using for 35 years, had been taken away from her. The plot including this territory was put up for auction in 2007 and sold. A potato clamp belonging to the pensioner is located on this spot. The new owner is dissatisfied and, according to the woman, is intimidating her. As a result, an error made at the time with the land not being registered to the pensioner and the hundreds of square meters being put up for sale has led to a dispute. "A conflict arose out of nothing. It would have been possible to put up for auction only a part of the plot and offer the buyer several hundred square meters elsewhere, thus resolving the problem," said Anatoly Linevich. The police have been instructed to investigate whether there were any threats from the dacha owner.

During the reception, over ten appeals were received. Issues addressed included employment, self-procurement of firewood in the forest for local residents, road repairs, gasification of the agro-town of Drozd, construction of a bridge over the Western Dvina in the district center, and housing problems. Some issues were resolved immediately, while others have been put under control.