Enabling and maintaining comfortable conditions for people, who live in rural areas, represent the most important task for the executive branch of the government. Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, the head of state’s representative for Vitebsk Oblast Igor Sergeyenko made the statement after taking part in a session of the Postavy District Executive Committee, BelTA has learned. 

The ongoing work to address problems with essential services in the territory of the Kuropolye Rural Council and efforts to promote small and medium entrepreneurship in Postavy District were on the session’s agenda.

Speaking about the first item on the agenda, the head of the lower chamber of the Belarusian parliament explained why it had been submitted for consideration. The territory of the rural council has been increased this year. Two rural councils managed the same territory before that.

 “It includes 60 populated localities and three agricultural enterprises. The matters under consideration are characteristic of many populated localities both in the district and in Vitebsk Oblast,” Igor Sergeyenko said. “The population is ageing. Some populated localities are simply disappearing.”

 As for the Kuropolye Rural Council, the chairman of the House of Representatives noted that out of the 60 populated localities more than 50% are home to zero residents or less than ten residents. Nevertheless, there are also three major agrotowns and villages where 50-100 people constitute a significant part of the total number.

 “Enabling comfortable conditions and keeping the existing ones at a decent level represent a primary task for the executive branch of the government,” Igor Sergeyenko stressed. “Several factors determine the comfort of living, including housing.”

Speaking about the housing problem, the head of state’s plenipotentiary remarked that there are 46 families on the housing register of the rural council. The fact indicates that people stay in major agricultural enterprises.

 Igor Sergeyenko described the work of retail outlets as the second component of comfortable life. However, the operation of retailers draws serious criticism. First of all, the operation of the shops run by the Belarusian National Union of Consumer Societies. Igor Sergeyenko encouraged Belkoopsoyuz’s management to take a look at performance of the union’s shops in Vitebsk Oblast and in Postavy District in particular. Their share in the overall trade stands at 5%, a number of premises are vacant, and many shops go out of business.

 “I don’t want to say it is a catastrophe but the situation is rather critical,” Igor Sergeyenko remarked.

 Speaking about water supply, the official mentioned that the construction of a deferrization station is quite a problem. In particular, one station has been commissioned in the territory of the rural council. Another one is supposed to be ready by the end of the year. “People personally contacted me to talk about the problem. This work will continue in the territory of Postavy District next year as well,” he added.

 Healthcare is another matter of utmost importance. According to the Postavy District head physician, all the rural health posts have been fixed. The physical infrastructure of the district hospital is getting better. A new wing is under construction and will be commissioned next year. On the whole, there are no serious complaints about medical services.

 “The next component is transport and roads. Significant funds have been allocated this year. Practically twice as much as last year. And taking into account the real state of affairs and taking into account petitions of citizens the district administration chooses locations where roads need to be fixed,” the speaker of the lower chamber of the Belarusian parliament noted.

 Igor Sergeyenko drew attention to the sphere of education. “We will look into how the preparation of schools for the new academic year will be finished. All the school readiness passports schools need to be signed by 20 August,” he said. The official added that there are no problems with the transportation of school students. All the issues get addressed promptly.

 “Taking care of single elderly people is quite an important topic. Judging from meetings and trips around the district, I can see that these issues get resolved. A district center for social services to the population operates. Aid is provided. Social workers get assigned,” the head of state’s plenipotentiary said.

 However, in his words, a group of people without jobs gives reasons for concern. There are 184 people like that in the database of the rural council. They do not work anywhere due to various reasons. According to the head of the rural council, 32 people do not work anywhere, live at the expense of their relatives, one-time jobs, and require more attention from the authorities in matters concerning their employment.

 Speaking about the second matter, which was discussed during the session of the Postavy District Executive Committee, Igor Sergeyenko remarked that 45% of the district budget comes from tax revenues from entrepreneurship activities. He remarked that legislation amendments that regulate entrepreneurship will come into effect this year. Some self-employed businesspersons will have to make up their minds and change their legal standing according to the legislation.

 The head of state’s plenipotentiary for Vitebsk Oblast underlined the importance of the fact that representatives of the largest companies and organizations in Postavy District had been invited to participate in the session and had been able to present their views.

 “I saw that the authorities keep an eye on things and awareness-raising work is in progress. As many as 25 self-employed businesspersons have yet to decide on what legal standing they will switch to,” Igor Sergeyenko said.

 The official remarked that on the whole, the matters that had been submitted for consideration are important. Comfortable life conditions indicate that the state takes care of pensioners, the elderly and also contribute to personnel retention.

Speaking about the harvesting campaign, Igor Sergeyenko noted that the work in Postavy District is nearing completion. In his words, the work is supposed to be finished by 20 August. Postavy District is one of the top five districts in terms of harvesting progress. The average yield is over 25 centners per hectare. Given several days of good weather, all the work will be finished, Igor Sergeyenko stressed.

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