A Unified Day of Citizens' Reception by Members of the Council of the Republic was held in the Vitebsk region.
Dokshytsy District
The reception of citizens at the Begomlsky rural executive committee of the Dokshytsy district began with a collective appeal from residents of one of the houses in Minsk. Residents not only of the Vitebsk region but also of Minsk had pre-registered to meet with the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly, Natalya Kochanova.
The range of issues raised in the appeals is extensive, including healthcare, housing and communal services, housing, and others.
A resident of Minsk applied for assistance in allocating or constructing rental housing. The native of the Vitebsk region explained that he had moved to the capital two and a half years ago. Today, for objective reasons, the man is not eligible to be placed on the waiting list for housing improvement. However, the housing issue is pressing due to difficult family circumstances and limited financial means.
Natalya Kochanova instructed to thoroughly investigate the situation.
The Deputy Chairman of the Minsk City Executive Committee, Oleg Korzun, assured that all possible options would be considered and optimal solutions offered.
Speaking about housing construction in the country, Natalya Kochanova recalled the instruction of the Head of State, who demands the active development of regions to prevent the concentration of all labor resources in Minsk.
Another applicant was interested in changing the designated purpose of a land plot owned in Borisov. The man clarified that he had purchased the plot for construction two years ago. However, the documents indicated the reconstruction of an existing facility. Initially, the applicant intended to build a multifunctional center on this site. Later, plans changed, and the man now requests permission to build a residential building.
Natalya Kochanova promised to help resolve all the nuances. The documents submitted by the man will be forwarded to the State Committee for Property.
A resident of Vitebsk asked for help with employment. The woman had approached various authorities, and options were offered to her, but potential employers refused her. The applicant explained that she herself had refused one of the options not due to excessive requirements but because she lacked the necessary knowledge for the proposed work, which required additional training. In some cases, she was informed of a mismatch between her qualifications and the advertised vacancy.
Vyacheslav Durnov, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, informed that the woman had been offered options previously. And today, according to him, there are suitable vacancies in the employment service that can be offered to her.
Natalya Kochanova instructed to study the issue carefully, find out the reasons for the current situation, and monitor the course of events further.
A resident of Begoml asked to pay attention to the quality of roads and the adequacy of lighting. She was also concerned about healthcare and trade organisation issues. In particular, the staffing of the local hospital, the availability of appointments with narrow specialists, and the closure of a consumer cooperative shop.
Sergey Abiralo, Chairman of the Dokshitsy District Executive Committee, commented on the organisation of trade services.
Mikhail Vishnevetsky, Head of the Main Department for Healthcare of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, informed about the staffing of the hospital. He noted that four doctors are working in Begoml: two general practitioners, a therapist, and a therapist-dentist. A young specialist, a paediatrician, is expected to join from August 1.
Natalya Kochanova announced her visit to Begoml and Dokshitsy in the spring, during which she plans to inspect hospitals and monitor the situation.
Speaking about landscaping issues, she urged local leaders to be more open and proactive.
– I always tell leaders of various levels: you must find common ground with people, meet with them, and talk. Explain what changes are planned, – she emphasised.
Several residents of Glubokoye approached Natalya Kochanova with questions. One of the applicants asked for assistance in connecting a residential building to the power grids. Another resident of the district centre asked for help in resolving a property issue.
Residents of Vitebsk asked for help in resolving a land issue in a horticultural partnership. The plot in question was inherited from their parents. A new neighbour violated the boundaries and occupied part of their land. The situation cannot be resolved due to a technical error in the documents that incorrectly established the boundary.
A worker from an agricultural enterprise in Begoml inquired about the possibility of buying out rental housing. The difficulty lies in the fact that the enterprise that previously owned the house has been liquidated. The house itself has been transferred to communal ownership, and the enterprise has a debt to the bank.
Among other issues addressed to Natalia Kochanova by applicants were tax deductions, property acquisition, and capital repairs.
Sharkovshchyna District
A mobile personal reception of citizens is conducted at the Sharkovshchyna District Executive Committee by Valentin Bayko, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for Economy, Budget and Finance, and Deputy Director for Development of SOOO "Conte Spa".
The Chairman of the District Executive Committee, Sergey Kashmilo, and his deputy, Andrey Shinkevich, also participate in the discussion of issues of concern to the region's residents.
Privatization of rental housing and the arrangement of road infrastructure near the school – these are the issues residents of Sharkovshchyna District raised with the senator.
A resident of the district center inquired about the possibility of privatizing or purchasing rental housing. Valentin Bayko noted:
"Under current legislation, this house cannot be privatized. I will raise this issue in the Council of the Republic – it needs to be studied in detail, and possibly, amendments to the legislation should be made, because similar difficulties with acquiring property arise for citizens throughout the country."
The head of an educational institution was concerned about the safety of students when boarding and disembarking the school bus. After discussing this issue with the district administration, it was decided to arrange a lay-by for safe boarding and disembarking, as well as to build a sidewalk to the parking area. Funds from the district budget will be allocated this year to address this issue. "Children's safety is sacred," emphasized the senator.
Polotsk District
Tamara Petrovna Krasovskaya, member of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for Education, Science, Culture and Social Development, Chairperson of the Committee for Labour, Employment and Social Protection of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee, holds personal reception of citizens at the Polotsk District Executive Committee.
Citizens addressed issues concerning the social sphere, as well as the rehabilitation of a child with a disability, social and labour relations, and occupational safety.
Liozno District
In Liozno District, the reception is conducted by Konstantin Sirotin, member of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for International Affairs and National Security, Chief Engineer – First Deputy General Director of Mogilevkhimvolokno OJSC.
Residents of the village of Chernoruchye approached the parliamentarian with a question about the major repair of their house.
- Citizen receptions are an important tool for improving interaction between the state and society, helping us better understand the needs and expectations of citizens, which contributes to more effective decision-making at the legislative level. Today we have listened to the problems faced by the district residents, provided explanations – this is the first step towards helping them, - noted the senator.
Shumilino District
In Shumilino, the reception of citizens was conducted by Sergey Meleshkin, member of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for International Affairs and National Security, Head of the Vitebsk Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Belarus.
During the personal reception, two applicants raised issues concerning housing conditions and assistance in dismantling balconies during the major repair of an apartment building.
The parliamentarian provided comprehensive clarifications on a number of issues raised, advised to use all opportunities provided by the state today, which citizens do not utilize, to resolve them. Based on the results of the reception, the appeals will be sent to the competent state bodies and taken under control.
Lepel District
In Lepel, the reception is conducted by Aleynik Sergey Fedorovich, Chairperson of the Standing Commission for International Affairs and National Security.
The reception of citizens is also attended by the Head of the District Mikhail Kiselevich, Kristina Dorokhova, member of the Youth Council under the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, competent specialists of the Lepel District Executive Committee, and other invited guests.
One of the issues raised by a resident of Lepel concerned the processing of inheritance. The citizen encountered a problem due to an error in the Unified State Register.
The problematic issue was thoroughly discussed with the participation of a notary, the citizen was provided with explanations, and the issue is under the control of a member of the Council of the Republic.
Sennensky District
Roman Brodov, Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on Economy, Budget and Finance, holds a reception for citizens at the Sennensky District Executive Committee.
The work is attended by the Chairman of the District Executive Committee, Alexander Klyachin. Also present are Mikhail Vilyugo, Chairman of the District Council of Deputies, Oleg Tetyuev, Head of the Department of the District Executive Committee, and Ivan Kvashko, Chairman of the Youth Council under the Sennensky District Council of Deputies.
Vitebsk
Land disputes, healthcare, pensions, and housing and communal services issues – this is the range of issues raised by residents of the regional center to Alexander Maximchuk, a member of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on Regional Policy and Local Self-Government, and General Director of the Brest Regional Unitary Enterprise "Housing and Communal Services Management", who held a reception for citizens at the Vitebsk City Executive Committee.
Many issues, as the parliamentarian noted, are being raised for the first time, and this primarily relates to housing and communal services. They concern capital repairs, maintenance, and water supply and sewerage systems. Much is being done in the country to improve this sphere. According to the senator, over the past five years, the number of complaints has decreased by 5-10%, but some problems remain.
The most important thing is to respond promptly to complaints, to rectify the situation qualitatively and on time. There must be feedback from people. There are sensitive issues related to land disputes, when the law does not allow for a resolution in favor of the applicant. It is necessary to explain and persuade.
– This form of communication with residents of different regions allows us to identify what concerns people. We collect all the information and process it at the level of the Council of the Republic. If necessary, we forward the appeals to the relevant ministries and departments. We consider problems from the perspective of laws and the need to make changes to legislative acts, – emphasized Alexander Maximchuk.
Braslavsky District
In Braslav, Dmitry Zakharchuk, member of the Standing Commission on Regional Policy and Local Self-Government and Chairman of the Volkovysk District Executive Committee, met with residents of the district. Two residents of Braslav took advantage of the opportunity for personal communication with the parliamentarian.
The issues raised by the applicants concerned the operation of private businesses, in particular, the need for additional energy capacities for conducting economic activities. Each application was carefully considered, clarifications were provided on-site for several of them, and some were taken under control for further resolution.
Beshenkovichi District
In the Beshenkovichi District Executive Committee, as part of a unified day of reception of citizens, Valery Gaidukevich, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic on International Affairs and National Security, and Chairman of the public association "Belarusian Union of War Veterans in Afghanistan," conducted a personal reception.
The reception of citizens was attended by the head of the district, Galina Unukovich, Chairman of the District Council of Deputies, Alexander Erashov, Head of the Department of Ideological Work and Youth Affairs, Olga Fieshko, and Chairman of the district organization of the public association "Belarusian Union of War Veterans in Afghanistan," Valery Safonov.
Two people approached the senator, one of whom came to Beshenkovichi from Braslav. A veteran of the war in Afghanistan raised an issue concerning the receipt of preferential pensions. A resident of our urban settlement voiced the problem of obtaining Belarusian citizenship.
The senator emphasized that citizen receptions play a key role in strengthening the connection between the state and society, allowing for a deeper understanding of the needs and aspirations of the population, which in turn contributes to improving the quality of legislative initiatives and adopted decisions.
While in Beshenkovichi, Valery Gaidukevich visited Secondary School No. 2 of the district center, where he familiarized himself with the institution's work on the military-patriotic education of the younger generation.
Ushachi District
In Ushachi, residents of the district had the opportunity to contact Natalia Pavlyuchenko, Chairperson of the Standing Commission on Education, Science, Culture, and Social Development.
The issue raised by a resident of the village of Belye concerned the possibility of installing fiber-optic communication lines from "Beltelecom" in the settlement, with subsequent connection of subscribers to GPON technology, which provides high-speed internet access.
Чашникский районIn the Chashniki District, the reception is conducted by Andrey Petrovich Zhamoyda, a member of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on Legislation and State Building, Director of RDUPS "Konus" RUP "Scientific and Practical Center of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Agricultural Mechanization".
The first appeal is from a resident of the district center. A complaint against neighbours regarding violations of the rules for using residential premises.
Поставский район
In the Postavy District Executive Committee, the reception of citizens on their problematic issues was conducted by Leonid Zayats, Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on Regional Policy and Local Self-Government.
Two residents of the district center registered for the reception with Leonid Konstantinovich.
The first applicant was interested in the possibility of amending the legislation, specifically, including work experience in the Russian Federation in the pension calculation in our country. Since this citizen is due to retire in the current year, the issue is particularly relevant for her. The senator listened attentively to the woman and explained that the issue requires detailed consideration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection. He promised to take it under control and discuss the problem with the specialists of the department.
The second applicant spoke about a protracted conflict with the cohabitant of her neighbour. After hearing the woman's arguments, as well as the explanations of the Deputy Chairman of the District Executive Committee Stanislav Chimbyurg and the Head of the Department of Internal Affairs Dmitry Kutalyov, Leonid Konstantinovich suggested that she still look for ways to reconcile. At the same time, he promised to instruct the relevant services to thoroughly investigate the situation.
Summing up the reception, Leonid Konstantinovich noted:
— The Council of the Republic holds receptions of citizens on a permanent basis. In Postavy, there were few registered attendees. This, on the one hand, emphasizes that the local executive authorities work in close contact with the population and solve pressing issues. On the other hand, direct communication with legislators is extremely important. At such meetings, issues are raised that deserve the closest attention: not only complaints and requests, but also constructive proposals. If this contact is established, it is much easier for us, the legislative and executive authorities, to jointly solve the problems that concern people.
Городокский район
A reception of citizens at the Gorodok District Executive Committee was conducted by Irina Levkovich, Deputy Chairperson of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus on Economy, Budget and Finance, and Head of the Main Department of Trade and Services of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.
During the reception, a resident of the district centre approached the senator. He stated that he is a disabled person and wishes to benefit from a concession on housing and communal services payments. There is only one nuance preventing him from being included in the list of beneficiaries: two able-bodied sons are registered in the apartment along with him. Irina Levkovich explained to the applicant that, according to current legislation, disabled persons of groups I and II who do not have able-bodied family members legally obliged to support them, and who live alone or only with other disabled persons and/or non-working pensioners, are eligible for this concession.
– Such appeals are an important reason to recall the very essence of our social policy, – emphasised Irina Levkovich. – Housing and communal services concessions for disabled persons are a gesture of support from the state to those who cannot receive it from their family. The law views able-bodied sons not as a formal "obstacle", but as the primary and main support for their father. The state strives to supplement, not replace, family care. My duty as a senator is to clearly explain these principles.
The citizen also raised issues concerning the repair of a canopy at a residential building and water heating. Irina Levkovich instructed specialists to investigate the situation on-site. The appeals remain under the senator's personal control until their resolution.
Irina Levkovich discussed the main activities of the youth body, priority and prospective plans and tasks with Uljana Zhandarova-Leonova, Chairperson of the Youth Council of the Gorodok District of the fifth convocation.
Tolochin District
A personal reception of citizens in Tolochin was conducted by Gleb Lapitsky, member of the Council of the Republic.
"Outreach receptions in the regions allow us to truly understand the situation on the ground, feel the needs of the people, and assess the real effectiveness of the work of local authorities. Such direct dialogue without filters is the best way to keep a finger on the pulse and see where the Council of the Republic needs to focus its efforts to provide concrete assistance in resolving social and economic issues. Dialogue with civil society is the key to the sustainable development of each region and the country as a whole."
The Senator familiarised himself with the economic and social situation in the district and studied the problematic issues faced by residents, paying particular attention to the resolution of these issues by local authorities.
Rossonsky District
Boris Tikhomirov, a member of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus, held a reception for citizens in Rossony. All the issues that the residents of the district centre came to the reception with concerned electric heating.
Galina Savitskaya represented not only her own interests but also those of other residents of Rodion Okhotin Street. She had applied to the RRES back in 2020 but was refused. The reason given was a lack of technical capability.
According to Aleksey Amosov, the head of the RRES, the depreciation period of the networks is 30 years, after which they are subject to replacement. Under the state program, the reconstruction of the lines to Okhotin Street is scheduled for 2028. As an alternative, a switch to gas can be considered, especially since there is a gas pipeline along this street.
The head of the district, Aleksey Garbul, instructed the gas service to calculate this option.
Nona Lozhanova lives at Bogdanovich Lane. She applied for connection in 2023.
The lane is not included in the program, however, Aleksey Amosov promised that the energy providers would replace the transformer. This will make it possible to connect by the end of 2026.
Gluboksky District
A meeting was held in Glubokoye with Aleksey Vasiliev, Deputy Chairman of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for Legislation and State Building.
The event was attended by representatives of the district authorities, including Petr Belus, Chairman of the Glubokoye District Executive Committee, and Vera Telitsa, Chairperson of the Glubokoye District Council of Deputies.
At the reception, the parliamentarian considered social issues, and also communicated with the district leadership and youth activists, discussing their vision regarding aspects of social sphere development and the prospects of the agro-industrial complex within the framework of the adopted socio-economic development program for 2026-2030, approved by the All-Belarusian People's Congress.
"Unified reception days are a centralized form of working with voters, which, on the one hand, allows us to get as close as possible to the real concerns of people, and on the other hand, to analyze the effectiveness of adopted legislative acts for a specific region, as each region has its own specifics."
The meeting was held in a constructive atmosphere conducive to strengthening dialogue between republican and regional authorities.
Dubrovno District
In Dubrovno District, the reception was conducted by Viktor Kandratovich, member of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for Education, Science, Culture and Social Development, chief physician of the Minsk City Clinical Oncological Center.
Therefore, they approached him with a question related to health that required clarification and consultation, rather than being a complaint.
Residents of Orsha did not miss the opportunity to attend a reception with a person who could provide consultation on healthcare issues.
The senator took an interest in the region's development and delved into the problems of the district leadership to discuss them later in the Council of the Republic. As for Dubrovno, the most important issue currently in focus is trade provision for the rural population. There were also expressions of gratitude.
For example, the Chairperson of the District Council of Deputies, Alena Tikhonova, noted that last year, thanks to state support, significant repair work was carried out at the Dubrovno Central Regional Hospital, the material and technical base was strengthened, and much was done in terms of improvement.
Miory District
In Miory, the reception was held by Natalya Markovich, member of the Standing Commission of the Council of the Republic for Regional Policy and Local Self-Government, Chairperson of the Ushachi District Council of Deputies.
Valery Drabo, Chairperson of the Miory District Council of Deputies, participated in the reception of citizens.
At the meeting with Natalya Markovich, the prospects for the region's development, including all sectors of life, were discussed. Special attention was paid to the issues of preparing the town of Miory for the regional festival-fair of rural workers "Dozhynki-2026". In connection with this event and within the framework of implementing the socio-economic development program of Miory District, the development of tourism potential has been identified as one of the leading directions. A development strategy for the "Yelnya" ecological park is being developed.