PLENARY WEEK OF THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SIXTH CONVOCATION CONCLUDED ON FRIDAY, MAY 20
First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Adam Martyniuk opened the morning plenary meeting, and briefed on the results of work of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine at the plenary meetings on May 19.
The Chairman announced that deputy factions suggested listening to the report of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on increase of social standards during the Government Question Hour. As Minister of Social Policy S.Tihipko is on sick leave, the Cabinet of Ministers commissioned First Deputy Minister Vasyl Nadraha to answer the questions of the People´s Deputies.
V. Nadraha informed that the Ministry of Social Policy had received 27 inquiries from the deputy factions. The first inquiry from the Party of Regions concerned activity of the Government in 2010 and its plans for 2011 as to the renewal of a minimum subsistence level.
The First Deputy Minister informed that in 2010 the Government guaranteed gradual increase of the minimum subsistence level at the rates envisaged by the applicable laws. The Government plans to raise the minimum subsistence level for 2012 by the predicted consumer price index at least.
BYuT-Batkivshchyna Faction inquired about the methodological and practical actions taken by the Government to support transition from the social minimum to the welfare standards which guarantee particular standards of life.
V. Nadraha responded, "Establishment and use of state social standards and norms aimed at realization of fundamental social guarantees fixed by the Constitution and laws are regulated by the Law "On State Social Standards and State Social Guarantees" adopted in October 2000. Basic state social standard is a minimum subsistence level which is the basis for the state social guarantees such as minimum wage, minimum pension, state social aid, and other social payments.
The First Deputy Minister answered other questions of the Parliament members. People´s Deputy O.Stoian stressed that consumer basket, which is the basis for a minimum subsistence level and other social payments, has not been revised since the year 2000.
O.Stoian inquired when the Government will bring forward the value of the consumer basket and other measures of the minimum subsistence level.
V. Nadraha agreed to the fact that a new consumer basket should be formed. The Government set up an expert panel including representatives of the government, trade unions, and employers. The panel worked out the respective motions and updated the items of the consumer basket. The respective resolution has been drafted and will be submitted to the Parliament in the nearest time.
After the Government Question Hour, BYuT-Batkivshchyna and Our Ukraine-People´s Self-Defense Factions demanded that a recess be announced. Head of Our Ukraine-People´s Self-Defense Faction Mykola Martynenko announced that the Factions demanded that ex-Minister of Internal Affairs Yu.Lutsenko be immediately released from detention. "The least procrastination after a one-month hunger strike might have tragic consequences. Yu.Lutsenko resorted to the last extreme measure to protect his human dignity and insist on the observance of law. The prosecution relieved itself of responsibility for the health and life of the politician in opposition," the Head of the Faction stated.
Mykola Martynenko informed that 87 People´s Deputies from both factions signed the address to the Prosecution General. 100 signatures were collected to bail Yu.Lutsenko out.
Representatives of the factions left the session hall.
The Chairman read out deputy requests.
Report of the National Council of Ukraine for Television and Radio Broadcasting for the Year 2010 was presented by Volodymyr Manzhosov, Head of the National Council of Ukraine for Television and Radio Broadcasting.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the Resolution "On Report of the National Council of Ukraine for Television and Radio Broadcasting for the Year 2010."
The People´s Deputies adopted the bill on Amendments to several Legislative Acts of Ukraine regarding Counteraction to Illegal Amalgamation and Takeover of Enterprises by 246 votes.
The parliament members recommitted the bill on social security of military servicemen and other categories of population, payment o f a one-off aid in the event of their death, granting the status of permanent disability or partial loss of working capacity.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the bill "On the Normative-Legal Acts."
The bill on amendments to several Laws of Ukraine (re protection of rights of the children from the single-parent families) was recommitted.
The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the Resolution "On Introduction of the Special Ceremony in Ukraine Holding of a Minute of Memory to commemorate the Casualties of the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945" by 250 votes.
To commemorate millions of casualties of the Great Patriotic War, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine should provide that public authorities, public enterprises, institutions and organizations in Ukraine, foreign diplomatic and other establishments of Ukraine dipped the flag on their buildings and premises in mourning and solidarity.
In the end of the morning plenary meeting, the People´s Deputies read out their motions, appeals, and announcements.
On May 23-27, the People´s Deputies will work in the constituencies.
The next plenary meeting of the eighth session will be held on Tuesday, May 30.