SHKLOV, 9 August (BelTA) – Heads of district administrations should play a more active role in the development of the regions they are entrusted with. It is necessary to take a look at the effective legal base among other things. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement at a government conference in Shklov, BelTA has learned.
The head of state noted: “The chairman of the district executive committee is the president in the territory of the district. I said it a long time ago.”
Participants of the government conference discussed what real authority the heads of the district administrations have, how they can manage financial resources and shape the district budget. Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that Soviet experience in the relevant matters should not be disregarded. On the contrary, it is necessary to evaluate whether it can be used in modern conditions.
The president also underlined the importance of performance discipline across the entire power vertical.
The head of state drew attention to the topic even before the conference began. He remarked that there is no regulatory act on the chairpersons of district executive committees in Belarus that clearly addresses the relevant matters. “But they need to be able to open a book and read all about their authority and functions,” the president noted.
He explained that then it would be understandable for everyone what the heads of district administrations can demand and from whom and there would be no disputes concerning subordination and competence limits.
During the government conference Aleksandr Lukashenko once again raised the matter of the legislative regulation of the powers of heads of oblast, city, and district executive committees. According to the president, it is necessary to update them in order to expand rights and functions of the executive personnel on the ground.
“It is very important for the chairman of the district executive committee to be the president in this territory. Police, the prosecution service, banks, and the rest do not have to report to him (they have the relevant authority). But they have to follow in his wake with the president’s representative, the head of the district administration in the lead,” the head of state explained.
The head of the district administration should have the ability to use all the structures in the territory of his region. “If necessary, he should contact the oblast governor, who will provide support with other matters,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.
According to the president, it is necessary to regulate at the legislative level the mutual relations between municipal authorities and the management of industrial enterprises owned by the central government and located in territories of the relevant districts. “I repeat once again: you have to clearly identify it,” the head of state said.
There are plans to include all the personnel management and, as the president put it, human rights into the sphere of responsibility of the heads of district administrations. But not the way human rights are imposed on Belarus but the normal way, including efforts to ensure the right of people to decent jobs and wages. “Personnel matters, other matters, matters relating to genuine human rights (just my way to generalize it) such as jobs, wages, and the rest should be on the plate of the head of the district administration. He should manage all these processes,” Aleksandr Lukashenko explained.
Another matter the heads of oblast administrations and district administrations will take care of is the ability to choose agricultural and industrial enterprises to sponsor. For instance, the paper factory Spartak is located in Shklov in addition to a linen mill, agricultural service organizations, and other enterprises. They could easily support agricultural enterprises but not by providing some material aid or financial aid but by lending additional hands if necessary. “They have people after all. They could go and help. This is why keep in mind that the chairpersons of the district executive committees and the oblast executive committees should take care of these assignments, of this sponsorship,” the head of state said.
Follow us on:
