August 16, Malorita /BELTA correspondent/. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko demanded to improve personnel and executive discipline at the local level. The Head of State set relevant tasks on August 15 during a working trip to Malorita District of Brest Region, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
August 16, Malorita /BELTA correspondent/. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko demanded to improve personnel and executive discipline at the local level. The Head of State set relevant tasks on August 15 during a working trip to Malorita District of Brest Region, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader.
The President's working trip program initially included a meeting on the socio-economic development of Brest Region, however, Alexander Lukashenko made unexpected adjustments to it, dedicating the first half of the day to visiting enterprises, solving specific local problems, and communicating with residents of the district center.
First of all, the Head of State visited OJSC "Malorita District Agropromtekhnika". Having thoroughly studied the state of affairs, the President instructed to restore the system of district agriservices in all regions of the country. "Under no circumstances should the infrastructure that was once created be destroyed. We must revive them in all regions. We need to expand the range of services," he said.
Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that such service organizations are oriented not only towards agricultural enterprises but also towards the entire district as a whole, including farmers and individual citizens. First and foremost, it is necessary to clearly determine the cost of certain services at the district agriservices so that the price is competitive and attractive to potential customers. In addition, it is important to expand their list.
During his visit to OJSC "Malorita District Agropromtekhnika", Alexander Lukashenko expressed considerable criticism regarding the appearance and condition of the production facilities. Upon arriving at the enterprise, the Head of State found a largely unthrifty approach to business. "Order must be established here by January 1!" the President instructed.
Alexander Lukashenko also noted that some unused production facilities are put up for auction in search of a private investor. However, no efforts are made to independently utilize these areas for some new types of work or services.
In the Malorita district, the President also visited two farms of the agricultural enterprise "Savushkino", where a completely different picture is observed from the perspective of a хозяйский (owner's) approach and the organization of the production process. The enterprise operates at a profit and is developing sustainably. "There is nothing here that is not available in the country, only perfect order and responsibility. Technological and personnel discipline are paramount," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.
The discussion here was not only about the work of this successful enterprise but also about the problematic agricultural organizations in the district and ways to improve their efficiency. The President took a detailed interest in various technological processes, essentially conducting an on-site mini-meeting at the farm.
Alexander Lukashenko elaborated on the new format of working trips at a meeting in the Malorita District Executive Committee: "Speaking about the scale and purpose of my trips in recent days, frankly, I would like to study the situation on the ground more closely and attentively," said the President.
The Head of State noted that the reason for holding meetings with visits to the regions is not due to any extraordinary circumstances. "At each location, I was interested in a particular problem," said the President. "I will constantly monitor the implementation of key performance indicators, which are outlined in the 'Task Matrix for the Power Vertical'. I just want to warn, without intimidating anyone in any way: all decisions that I make here on the ground must be strictly executed, whatever it takes – for the government, the governor, and the heads of enterprises."
An equally important reason for being on the ground is to monitor the progress of ongoing work. Moreover, the issue is not solely about the harvest campaign, despite its importance. "We have learned how to harvest. Everything that was needed from the state, and even more, has been done. We need to look deeper, at the technologies," the Head of State is confident. "I understand perfectly well that not everyone will do everything at once. But we have already shown what to strive for."
The President pointed out that the style and tactics of his working trips are changing. "I understand that every governor and district executive committee chairman will find something to show. But if I only look at the presentable aspects, everything that is behind the scenes will remain and may not develop," noted the Head of State.
The Governor, heads of the district and specific enterprises reported at the meeting on the results and prospects of socio-economic development in their areas of responsibility. The Chairman of the State Control Committee, Leonid Anfimov, informed about shortcomings and omissions in the work.
"Everything depends on the people and the leader. If the leader does not manage the team, there will be no benefit," the President emphasized. "The main thing is the economy. Everyone must work for it."
"I want to warn both the minister and responsible government officials: yes, sometimes decisive measures must be taken, but this does not mean that we should not consult with specialists on the ground. We need to compare, weigh, and consult with both the best and average farms. And we must see them. Therefore, be very careful. In no case should you break through the knee," Alexander Lukashenko warned.
During the meeting, attention was repeatedly drawn to the importance of prudent spending of budget funds and maintaining high personnel and executive discipline. According to the head of state, it is important to "transfer the tension downwards" throughout the entire vertical, starting from the governor to specific executors and managers on the ground. "Any non-fulfillment is chaos, a collapse not only of power but also of the state. And we will smoothly slide into the Ukrainian scenario," the Belarusian leader emphasized.
In terms of preventing and responding to possible abuses or inaction on the ground, representatives of law enforcement agencies should promptly assist managers. "The police, the KGB, the prosecutors - they all must revolve around the manager and help him. I want the whole country to hear this," the President stated. "So that there are no more complaints that a policeman, the KGB, or a prosecutor has 'run over' someone. They all understand perfectly well that we live off the same collective farm and industrial enterprise."
Concluding the meeting, Alexander Lukashenko noted that the issues raised concern not only the Malorita district but the entire country as a whole. Tasks have been set in various spheres and have been accepted by the governing vertical. "To the extent possible, mobilize your teams, pull yourselves together, and move forward. We are given nothing else. Act!" the President urged.
On the way to Malorita, the head of state repeatedly stopped to communicate with local residents. A wide range of issues were raised, from the development of mass sports to pricing and social support.
Furthermore, near the local sports complex where the presidential helicopter landed, a discussion arose about the development of sports, including youth sports. Alexander Lukashenko gave a number of specific instructions in this area. These included resolving problematic issues with the operation of the ice arena in Berezа.
"If there are results, you get more. We need to give opportunities to those who want to play, and only then charge money. Otherwise, they will come to the governor or the President saying: give us money. But where are the results?" - the head of state noted, speaking about athletes' salaries.
A similar approach is needed regarding the salaries of administrative staff in a number of clubs, which should be tied exclusively to financial performance.
The President also made a critical remark about the performance of some Belarusian athletes at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. "Some are showing worse results than before the Olympics during qualification. The question is, why did they go?" - the Head of State remarked.
Alexander Lukashenko also noted that all conditions have been created in Belarus for everyone to have the opportunity for a decent income, but this requires effort. "In Belarus, only the lazy person cannot earn. Are we at war, is there a war going on, or something else?.. You just need to make a little effort," - the President said, talking to the residents of the district center.
At the same time, the state will always provide support to those who genuinely need it. "We will help. If you take a step, we will take a step towards you (I mean the whole country). But if you sit with your hands down, waiting for someone to bring you something, then, you know, we help those who want it themselves," - the Belarusian leader stated.
According to the President, producers in the country are beginning to emerge from the difficult situation they found themselves in due to the situation in external markets. "It's difficult for us, you can't do it in a year, but we are starting to rise," - Alexander Lukashenko said.
At the same time, he stressed the unacceptability of price imbalances in the country. "The main thing is that there should be no price imbalance: when there is no possibility to raise wages, prices should not rise at that time. If this exists, it is a major drawback. Prices should not rise now," - the President said.
Alexander Lukashenko believes that one of the most important tasks for the state is to provide people with jobs. "One must seek happiness on one's own land," the Belarusian leader is confident. "We must ensure that people live and work normally after us – this is my main task." -0-