Lukashenko: Land relations must remain under the strictest state control

Land relations must remain under the strictest state control.

This was stated by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, today at a meeting on the redistribution of powers between state authorities, a BELTA correspondent reports.

Alexander Lukashenko paid special attention to land management issues during the meeting. According to him, this is an area where the powers of the head of state should not be diluted.

"Here is my ironclad requirement: only by a separate decision of the President can one claim land for agricultural or forestry purposes. Moreover, as I am informed, there are thousands of plots in the regions that are not in demand. And those in need of housing improvement can even receive them for free," said Alexander Lukashenko.

The President recalled that he recently signed a decree on the alienation of residential houses in rural areas and the improvement of work with vacant houses. Now, vacant residential houses recognized by the court as ownerless and transferred to the ownership of an administrative-territorial unit can be sold by executive committees at auctions at market value, with the possibility of a phased price reduction to one basic amount.

"But around Minsk and regional centers, near reservoirs and protected areas, land will remain under the strictest control. You know why: it is common property," emphasized the head of state. "We cannot turn into what happened in a neighboring country: you look at a lake near a large city, and an ordinary person cannot approach it. Why? Because a fence was built right into the water, and piers were organized for their 'boats'. This is unacceptable. We have avoided this."

Alexander Lukashenko recalled that he had once tried to transfer the powers of land resource distribution to governors. As a result, there were cases when the most fertile lands were given for the construction of warehouses.

"Therefore, I have seen enough, I have had experience of transferring these powers downwards. This is not because the governors are bad. It's just that such matters must be ironclad in one pair of hands," the President is convinced. "After all, the governor will still make proposals, and already vertically through the government to the President, we will study these issues and make decisions."

"In short, it is forbidden to transfer land and forest issues to someone else. This is a forbidden topic. There are exceptions, but then come and prove it to the President - he will make a decision. I think our children and grandchildren will thank us for this. And the future President who will govern the country will also thank all of us for leaving such issues and powers with the President," the head of state summarized.

At the same time, Alexander Lukashenko stated that he is not against considering proposals for modernizing current practices and simplifying administration through the introduction of digital technologies.

BELTA