Monitoring the work of local authorities with citizens has contributed to the resolution of a number of socially significant problems.

9 July, Minsk /BELTA/. A large-scale monitoring of the work of local authorities with citizens conducted in Belarus has revealed a number of acute social problems, many of which have been promptly resolved and eliminated. This was reported to a BELTA correspondent by the Administration of the President of Belarus, commenting on the results of the inspection by interdepartmental working groups of the situation on the ground regarding the organization of work with citizens, the consideration of their appeals and the resolution of pressing public problems.

The large-scale monitoring was organized in accordance with the instructions of the head of state and was carried out in June in all regions of Belarus. Nine interdepartmental working groups studied the situation on the ground in areas most sensitive to the population: housing and communal services, housing construction, labor and social protection, healthcare, trade, consumer services, and others.

As a result, in all inspected regions, "a number of acute socially significant problems were identified, which citizens most frequently address, as well as instances of procrastination, formalism, arrogance, and indifference in their consideration," the Presidential Administration noted. Members of the interdepartmental groups tried not to overlook any of the remarks made by citizens, to understand the problematic situation as quickly as possible and find a way to resolve it.

For example, in the Mogilev region, they helped a group of locksmiths to receive money legally due to them for their work from the Chausskoye SPC "Kolkhoz 'Golovenchitsy'". In 2009, the workers repaired and serviced grain drying complexes in this collective farm, but instead of the promised Br1 million, they were paid only half. And their written appeal to the chairman of the SPC was hidden from registration and left unconsidered. Following the investigation, the remaining amount was paid to the workers, and the chairman of the SPC was brought to administrative responsibility.

A solution to a problem that a large family from Mogilev had been bringing to the executive authorities for 6 years was found quickly and easily by the interdepartmental group. The land plot, house, and outbuildings of this family are regularly flooded by the Strunya River. However, the city executive committee did not plan to organize surface water drainage or even start design work on this matter. The interdepartmental working group had to make appropriate proposals to the city executive committee.

During personal receptions held by interdepartmental working groups, problems were identified in the operation of land management services, some of which stem from the irresponsible attitude of officials. For example, an 80-year-old resident of Mogilev has been petitioning officials for 17 years because the city executive committee incorrectly established the boundaries of her land plot at the time, and the access road to her house turned out to be so narrow that it was impossible to even deliver firewood. The head of the city's land management service, instead of rectifying the violation, behaved rudely and remained inactive. Another "malady" of local officials is to report completion without actually doing the work. This is what happened in Babruisk: the city executive committee claimed that the pavement and road were improved from Gogol Street to Bogushevich Street. However, upon inspecting the site following a citizen's complaint, the working group found that the path actually only extended to the 2nd Olkhovyy Lane. As a result, officials of the Babruisk City Executive Committee have been subjected to disciplinary action. Cases of unauthorized occupation of land plots, as well as their non-targeted and inefficient use, are widespread. During a single selective inspection conducted in the village of Domashkovichi, Dokshytsy District, 13 such instances were identified. Certain land plots allocated to peasant (farmer) farms are in a neglected and derelict state. The primary reason for these violations is the lack of control by executive authorities and land management and geodesy services over the use and protection of land. Moreover, in several cases, they are a consequence of abuses of official position by local executive committee officials. The Administration emphasized that "appropriate response measures" have been taken in all identified cases of violations. Monitoring has shown that a "high percentage of complaints regarding the organization of healthcare institutions' activities are observed throughout the country: closure of district hospitals, FAPs, and a shortage of qualified medical personnel." The condition of rural shops causes significant concern among the population. It was found that the heads of certain enterprises, executive authorities, and management bodies are not taking adequate measures to ensure fire safety in healthcare, education, and cultural institutions, as well as in enterprises and housing stock. -0-

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