To protect citizens' interests. Understanding Lukashenko's directive on the inadmissibility of price increases

Following a meeting on the country's price situation, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed Directive No. 10 "On the Impermissibility of Price Increases" on October 6.

During the meeting held the day before, the most pressing issues concerning inflation and price increases were raised. Alexander Lukashenko strongly criticised those responsible for insufficient control and activity in this area to ensure fair pricing across all market segments for a wide range of products. The situation ultimately required the head of state's intervention.

Following the meeting, the President announced his decision: "From the 6th (of October. - Editorial note of BELTA), any price increase is prohibited. It is pro-hi-bi-ted! Starting today. Not from tomorrow, but from today. So that prices are not inflated within a day. Therefore, from today, price increases are prohibited. And God forbid anyone should process something retroactively in accounting, any calculations, recalculations."

Why was the directive necessary?

During the meeting, Alexander Lukashenko explained why he was making such a decisive decision: "Because prices, after the crazy surge that the Prime Minister spoke about, have increased by the same amount again. And prices today are exorbitant. They have hit the ceiling. Prices cannot be increased anywhere else. There is no need. But there are exceptions. And these exceptions are under the control of the minister and the governors."

Alexander Lukashenko emphasised that he is not afraid of criticism regarding the announced decisions, as the most important thing is to pursue a fair policy. "I am publicly setting a task for you, taking it upon myself, loading this issue again, knowing that tomorrow everyone will be choking, criticising the President. But we must pursue a fair policy," he said. "I earnestly ask you to adopt a resolution by October 20 that will ensure control over pricing. And, most importantly, the prevention of price increases. This is hard and extensive work."

The directive itself notes that the country is facing a tense situation with rising prices in the consumer market. Inflation has significantly exceeded the forecast and has led to a decrease in citizens' real incomes. This negates the government's actions to increase wages and pensions. State bodies have not taken timely systemic measures to prevent unjustified price increases and to control price discipline. Therefore, immediate and strict action is required at all levels.

What decisions are enshrined in the document?

In order to protect the interests of citizens and organisations of the Republic of Belarus, and to prevent further price increases, establish an effective price control system, and ensure the domestic consumer market is supplied with goods (works, services), the directive stipulates that from October 6, 2022, price increases are prohibited, except in cases determined by the chairpersons of regional executive committees, the Minsk City Executive Committee, jointly with the Minister of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade and relevant industry ministers.

Heads of republican government bodies, other organisations subordinate to the government, chairpersons of regional executive committees, and the Minsk City Executive Committee have been instructed to take exhaustive measures to curb prices and reduce the cost of manufactured products; to saturate the domestic market to meet full demand; and to prevent unjustified cessation of operations of retail outlets.

What will the working group headed by Natalia Kochanova do?

The directive formalises another decision by the head of state following the recent meeting on the creation of a working group headed by the Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly, Natalia Kochanova. The group will also include the Chairperson of the House of Representatives, Vladimir Andreichenko, the Chairperson of the State Control Committee, Vasily Gerasimov, the Chairperson of the National Statistical Committee, Inna Medvedeva, and the Chairperson of the Federation of Trade Unions of Belarus, Mikhail Orda.

The working group is tasked with developing and submitting proposals to the Council of Ministers on measures to improve price regulation within ten days.

They will be able to involve deputies of all levels, representatives of the Committee of State Control, other state bodies and organizations, and trade unions in the relevant work.

The group is also tasked with continuously monitoring prices and the state of the consumer market, and informing controlling and law enforcement agencies about identified violations for response measures.

What instructions have been given to the government?

The government will need to approve and implement the price regulation system by October 20 of the current year, based on the proposals of the working group. It has also been instructed to ensure effective control over price discipline.

What will be the responsibility for violating the directive's norms?

Persons guilty of non-fulfillment (improper fulfillment) of the directive's requirements will be held responsible, up to criminal liability. This measure is stipulated in the document itself.

The Prosecutor General's Office, jointly with the Committee of State Control, is tasked with promptly assessing the actions of officials and other employees in fulfilling the directive's requirements, and applying procedural enforcement measures, including detention.

Control over the implementation of the directive is assigned to the CSC.

Source: belta.by