MINSK, 28 March (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has sent back the draft decree on ways of improving the efficiency of control and oversight activities for finalization again, Chairman of the State Control Committee Vasily Gerasimov told reporters following the meeting with the head of state, BelTA haslearned.
This matter was previously discussed during a meeting hosted by the president in May 2024. Then Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed to finalize the draft decree to ensure the document was clear and convenient for use. The head of state also asked the supervisory bodies to change their style and methods of work and enhance the efficiency of their activities.
Once again, a common ground was not reached. Following the meeting, the president instructed to finalize the draft decree again and address several issues raised during the discussion. The relevant state bodies will need to find a compromise, revise approaches and produce a document of proper quality.
“The draft decree was discussed in detail with the head of state. We identified issues that need to be finalized. The Council of Ministers, the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Control Committee will undertake this task to produce a document of proper quality,” Vasily Gerasimov said.
According to him, no specific deadlines were set for finalization, but delaying this matter is not an option, as Decree No. 510, adopted in 2009 "On Improving Control (Oversight) Activities in Belarus," has become outdated. This area, in general, requires adjustments, not only technical ones.
"The very essence of supervisory activities has changed. We are focusing more on prevention and proactive measures. The head of state instructed us to maintain balance: if anyone violate the rules, they will undoubtedly be held accountable without exceptions; once you work properly, we will have no issues with you and we will not inspect you often," Vasily Gerasimov explained.
He also mentioned that the number of inspections has halved since 2020. "This means the control measures are becoming more efficient. We now inspect businesses only when they have real problems," he added.
Key innovations in the draft decree
The new draft decree is a comprehensive document encompassing all aspects of control activities. Proposals from local authorities, businesses, and various enterprises were considered during its development.
"The document relies on the existing decree regarding control activities, in terms of types of control, decision-making levels, procedural aspects, and inspection processes, which remain sufficiently effective," Taxes and Duties Minister Dmitry Kiyko said.
The government considered it necessary to optimize control activities, enhance preventive and explanatory efforts and further protect the rights of inspected entities.
Why the draft decree was sent back for finalization
The State Control Committee did not support the proposal which requires supervisory bodies to follow explanations issued by various government levels. "Our analysis indicates that interpretations vary significantly between regions, not to mention that the same authority can issue entirely different explanations. Work on this issue will be continued," Vasily Gerasimov said.
Another controversial issue concerns the government’s proposal to log all inspections in a special book. The State Control Committee believes that this would inconvenience officials and turn this log book into a visitor register.
"If, for example, a governor comes to inspect agricultural practices or the course of a planting campaign, why would they need to go to the main office of an enterprise and register in the log book? This applies to regional authorities and me, as a representative of Grodno Oblast. This should be done only when necessary: for inspections or monitoring. But for other cases, it seems excessive," Vasily Gerasimov stressed.
Dmitry Kiyko added that the president also instructed to study the draft decree for compliance with the Constitution and other legislative acts. "Following the discussions, the head of state proposed that the government and other supervisory bodies, including the State Control Committee and the Prosecutor General’s Office, find compromises acceptable to both executive authorities and entities impacted by these norms," he said.
It remains uncertain whether the revised draft decree will be resubmitted to the president for consideration. If there are no disagreements regarding the document, it may be adopted through standard procedures.
This matter was previously discussed during a meeting hosted by the president in May 2024. Then Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed to finalize the draft decree to ensure the document was clear and convenient for use. The head of state also asked the supervisory bodies to change their style and methods of work and enhance the efficiency of their activities.
Once again, a common ground was not reached. Following the meeting, the president instructed to finalize the draft decree again and address several issues raised during the discussion. The relevant state bodies will need to find a compromise, revise approaches and produce a document of proper quality.
“The draft decree was discussed in detail with the head of state. We identified issues that need to be finalized. The Council of Ministers, the Prosecutor General's Office and the State Control Committee will undertake this task to produce a document of proper quality,” Vasily Gerasimov said.
According to him, no specific deadlines were set for finalization, but delaying this matter is not an option, as Decree No. 510, adopted in 2009 "On Improving Control (Oversight) Activities in Belarus," has become outdated. This area, in general, requires adjustments, not only technical ones.
"The very essence of supervisory activities has changed. We are focusing more on prevention and proactive measures. The head of state instructed us to maintain balance: if anyone violate the rules, they will undoubtedly be held accountable without exceptions; once you work properly, we will have no issues with you and we will not inspect you often," Vasily Gerasimov explained.
He also mentioned that the number of inspections has halved since 2020. "This means the control measures are becoming more efficient. We now inspect businesses only when they have real problems," he added.
Key innovations in the draft decree
The new draft decree is a comprehensive document encompassing all aspects of control activities. Proposals from local authorities, businesses, and various enterprises were considered during its development.
"The document relies on the existing decree regarding control activities, in terms of types of control, decision-making levels, procedural aspects, and inspection processes, which remain sufficiently effective," Taxes and Duties Minister Dmitry Kiyko said.
The government considered it necessary to optimize control activities, enhance preventive and explanatory efforts and further protect the rights of inspected entities.
Why the draft decree was sent back for finalization
The State Control Committee did not support the proposal which requires supervisory bodies to follow explanations issued by various government levels. "Our analysis indicates that interpretations vary significantly between regions, not to mention that the same authority can issue entirely different explanations. Work on this issue will be continued," Vasily Gerasimov said.
Another controversial issue concerns the government’s proposal to log all inspections in a special book. The State Control Committee believes that this would inconvenience officials and turn this log book into a visitor register.
"If, for example, a governor comes to inspect agricultural practices or the course of a planting campaign, why would they need to go to the main office of an enterprise and register in the log book? This applies to regional authorities and me, as a representative of Grodno Oblast. This should be done only when necessary: for inspections or monitoring. But for other cases, it seems excessive," Vasily Gerasimov stressed.
Dmitry Kiyko added that the president also instructed to study the draft decree for compliance with the Constitution and other legislative acts. "Following the discussions, the head of state proposed that the government and other supervisory bodies, including the State Control Committee and the Prosecutor General’s Office, find compromises acceptable to both executive authorities and entities impacted by these norms," he said.
It remains uncertain whether the revised draft decree will be resubmitted to the president for consideration. If there are no disagreements regarding the document, it may be adopted through standard procedures.
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