ANOTHER PLENARY WEEK OF THE EIGHTH SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF UKRAINE OF THE SIXTH CONVOCATION CONCLUDED ON FRIDAY, 18 MARCH.
Volodymyr Lytvyn, Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, opened the morning plenary meeting, and reported on the results of work of The Verkhovna Rada at the plenary meetings on March 17.
"BYuT-Batkivshchyna" and "Our Ukraine People´s Self-Defense" factions insisted that a recess be announced.
Representative of "BYuT-Batkivshchyna" Andrii Kozhemiakin declared that the Government of M. Azarov reported on over-fulfillment of the budget, 9% of inflation, and the rise of welfare. "However, according to the independent experts, inflation rate in Ukraine for 2010 comprised 42%," admitted A. Kozhemiakin, adding that "BYuT-Batkivshchyna" faction insisted on immediate parliamentary scrutiny of the bill on adjustment of pensions, wages and social payments for the inflation rate.
The Chairman announced that members of the Cabinet of Ministers were present at the sitting.
Oleksandr Riabchenko, Head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, reported on the privatization of state-owned objects in 2010-2011, and answered the questions of the deputies during the Government Question Hour.
Oleksandr Riabchenko reported on the activity of the State Property Fund of Ukraine starting from April 2010. According to him, the primary task of a new management was to solve the working issues connected with the stimulation of plans in 2010 and privatization policy outlay. They managed to strengthen the personnel powers of the organization, enhance duty performance, and analyze implementation of the main tasks. As the result, the Fund has considerably improved dynamics of privatization, increased efficiency of corporate governance and quality of lease relations. Despite the considerable slippage in the result of first four months, the budget received UAH 1 billion 93 million from the privatization of the state property, which is half as much than in 2009, and in 2,3 more than in 2008.
The Head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine laid emphasis on the positive changes in the Fund´s work, and informed about the socio-economic aspects of privatization.
O. Riabchenko informed on the new projects of the privatization program till 2014. The program covers the previous experience and corrects the deficiencies of the current privatization program for 2000-2002.
O. Riabchenko announced that the total state budget revenue in the result of the state-owned property privatization comprised UAH 43 billion.
The Head of the State Property Fund also stated that the process of state-owned property privatization excluded participation of companies registered in off-shore areas.
O. Riabchenko answered the numerous questions concerning privatization of Ukrtelecom Open Joint-Stock Company and announced the names of five Austrian citizens - actual owners of the enterprise.
Representatives of BYuT factions asked the Head of the Fund about the use of funds received from the privatization of Ukrtelecom OJSC.
A number of questions concerned privatization of Ukraine International Airlines CJSC.
The People´s Deputies were also interested in the strategy and purpose of privatization.
O. Riabchenko announced that 100% of funds received from the privatization were directed to the State Budget of Ukraine, being allotted for the payment of wages, pensions and social aids.
The Chairman read out the Deputies´ inquires.
V. Lytvyn reminded that on 24.09.2010 The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine passed the Resolution "On the Preliminary Report of the Interim Inquiry Panel of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine to investigate Censorship in Mass Media, Restriction of Freedom of Speech in Ukraine and Interference with the Professional Activity of the Journalists." The seventh item of this resolution envisaged listening to the report of the Prosecutor-General of Ukraine concerning investigation of the case on disappearance of journalist Vasyl Klymentiev and other high profile cases connected with the protection of journalist´s rights.
The Chairman gave floor to Prosecutor-General V. Pshonka.
V. Pshonka emphasized that the number of crimes against the journalists was increasing. Thus, 14 such crimes were committed in 2008, while 20 in 2009, and 33 in 2010. The General Prosecutor Office of Ukraine took the necessary measures to facilitate the investigation and disclosure of the crimes.
Prosecutor-General of Ukraine stated that although most crimes against the journalists have been detected, they failed to disclose the disappearance of V. Klymentev, editor-in-chief of New Style newspaper. "Prejudicial inquiry in this case is ongoing", V. Pshonka informed.
Prosecutor-General also announced that his department continued prejudicial inquiry in the criminal case on the murder of journalist Heorhii Honhadze.
Anatolii Mohyliov, Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, announced that his department took twenty-four-hour operative-investigative action to investigate the case on disappearance of V. Klymentev. The main version of the crime commitment is occupational activity of V. Klymentev.
A. Mohyliov admitted that investigation of the case is impeded by the lack of information on the circumstances of disappearance. The operative services managed to determine the main directions of investigation, but they can not be sounded due to the secrecy of investigation.
Draft Resolution on Celebration of the 130th Anniversary of Birthday of Prominent Ukrainian Medical Scientist Oleksandr Bohomolets was presented by Volodymyr Karpuk, People´s Deputy of Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada passed the resolution by 297 votes.
Draft Resolution on Celebration of the 120th Anniversary of Birthday of Prominent Writer Mykhailo Bulhakov was presented by Inna Bohoslovska.
The People´s Deputies passed the Resolution by 294 votes.
Draft Resolution "On the National Military Memorial Cemetery" was presented by Vadym Kolesnichenko, People´s Deputy of Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada passed the draft resolution by 249 votes.
In the end of the plenary meeting the Peoples´ Deputies read out their inquiries.
The Chairman adjourned the plenary meeting.
On 21-25 March, the People´s Deputies will work with the voters.
Parliamentary Hearings "Land in Ukrainian Destiny: Situation in the Land Sector, and Legislative Support of Land Relations" will be held in the Verkhovna Rada on March 23.
On March 28 - April 1 the People´s Deputies will work in the Committees, Panels and Factions.
The next plenary meeting of the eighth session will be held on April 5.