MINSK, 20 October (BelTA) – We should preserve the tough regulation of expenses in the housing and utility sector, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said at the nationwide seminar to discuss the improvement and development of the Belarusian housing and utility sector on 20 October, BelTA informs.
“It is needed to preserve the strict rationing of material and energy resources. We cannot act in a different way in current economic conditions,” the head of state said.
He reminded that a few years ago virtually all costs of housing and utility organizations were financed from the budget. Today we have strict normative planning and reimbursement. “It was my direct instruction. The housing and utility sector has been working in an austerity regime for several years,” Alexander Lukashenko noted. “Of course, this is not the most painless way of recovery. But for the population it is important to make sure that maximum savings on costs do not affect the quality and volume of provided services. Otherwise, people will just refuse to pay. As far as I am informed, the current state of affairs in this area is rather good. The level of payments is 98%.”
According to the president, the strict regulation of costs has a positive impact on the financial stability of the housing and utility sector. “However, taking into account the fact that the expenses of organizations are restricted, the underfinancing of this industry is inadmissible. Besides, all savings should be used in the housing and utility sector. It is inadmissible to solve other problems at the expense of these organizations. Governors, local executive committees, and the government should pay special attention to this issue,” the head of state said.
