MINSK, 6 October (BelTA) – MPs should closely monitor the work of consumer cooperatives, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he hosted a government meeting on 6 October, BelTA has learned.
Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Vladimir Andreichenko informed the president about the results of the monitoring of food prices conducted by MPs. He told the head of state how prices for fruits and vegetables are sometimes formed. According to Vladimir Andreichenko, apples are sold in retail chains at Br2-3.5 per kilogram. Private farmsteads sell apples at Br0.8 per kilogram. Apples to be processed are bought at Br0.2 kopecks.
“It is not just about apples. This pertains to cucumbers, tomatoes, and so on. Our people should be able to earn money from what they grow on their land and sell products to Belkoopsoyuz without leaving their yard. Today we are mulling over plans to launch a new enterprise in each district. This is absolutely right. However, there was a time when almost every district capital had its own processing facilities that used local raw materials. I think that time has come, primarily for Belkoopsoyuz, to revive these good traditions, which will also help resolve the employment issue in the countryside,” Vladimir Andreichenko suggested.
“Starting from tomorrow you personally and MPs will take the work of consumer cooperatives under special control. And you will help Leonid Zayats [deputy prime minister] with this work,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
