MINSK, 30 May (BelTA) – The Belarusian government suggests radically revising regulatory practices in several areas with the bill on improving the social and economic policy of the Republic of Belarus. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko demanded an explanation of why these measures are necessary and how they will affect budget revenues during a government conference, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that a number of measures the bill specifies are directly designed to protect state interests and reinforce the country's economic security.
However, the radical revision of regulatory practices in several areas represents a point of contention.
For instance, the bill suggests customs and tax payment respites and a moratorium on raising property taxes. “But how will it affect budget revenues? And accordingly salaries of teachers, medics, the payment of pensions and child benefits?” Aleksandr Lukashenko wondered.
He also wondered whether random audits really need to be prohibited: “If you don't need to audit something, you can probably make the decision on your own. Why do we have to restrict you with some laws?”
The head of state also asked questions about the suggested optimization of acquisition of permit documents and changes in the criteria used to evaluate the work of heads of state-run organizations. “You have to put your back into it and work,” the president stressed.
He also wondered whether balance of interests is observed when respites are granted for paying off consumer loans and housing loans to citizens and when the raising of heating and electricity tariffs in 2022 is prohibited.
“I fear we may not be ready to adopt such a bunch of decisions in one go. I wonder whether these norms look good on paper and produce nothing in practice,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
