25 October 2013, 14:14
ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25 ANOTHER PLENARY WEEK OF THE THIRD SESSION OF THE VERKHOVNA RADA OF THE VENETH CONVOCATION ENDED.
Opening the morning meeting, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Volodymyr Rybak said that members of the Cabinet of Ministers headed by the First Vice Prime Minister S.Arbuzov participated in the plenary meeting.
Volodymyr Rybak informed about the absence of members of the Government and about the reasons for their absence.
The Chairman reminded that every Friday of the plenary week the Government Question Hour is held. The representatives of the deputies’ factions made the proposals to listen to the information of the Cabinet of Ministers regarding fulfillment of their obligations to local budgets and debt repayment of salaries. The deputies’ factions informed the Cabinet of Ministers on their questions to the members of the Government in written form and in advance.
The First Deputy Minister of Finance A. Maiarkovskyi started the Government Question Hour. He said that during the formation of the State Budget for 2013, special attention was paid to local budgets.
A. Maiarkovskyi informed that 28,1 thousand loans for covering deficiencies for a total amount of UAH 37,6 bln were given to local budgets by the State Treasury authorities.
The First Deputy Minister of Finance stressed that according to the Constitution of Ukraine, local budgets are independent and thus, the issue of pumping up the budget should be settled by local authorities, too.
He also informed about the improving of basic social standards and guarantees. The First Deputy Minister of Finance A. Maiarkovskyi said that owing to measures taken in 2012, advance payment for public sector workers is provided.
Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine N.Korolevska answered the questions concerning debt payment of salaries, payment of social insurance, welfare payments.
N.Korolevska informed that 32 questions were received from factions.
The Minister talked about the measures being taken to reduce arrearage of wages. The interdepartmental committee at the Ministry works in order to monitor debt repayment. According to her, this issue was considered five times at the meetings of the Cabinet of Ministers.
N.Korolevska informed that the Ministry developed an action plan on accelerated debt payment of salaries. The work of the State Labour Inspection of Ukraine on finding the causes for late payment of salaries is activated. According to her, new approaches give corresponding results.
The Minister noted that since March of this year, a tendency towards reducing debts can be observed. As of October 21, arrearage of wages has been reduced by UAH 132 ml in comparison with September 1 of this year.
N.Korolevska noted that there are no arrears in the budgetary sphere. The Government has allocated UAH 2,1 bln to prevent them.
The Minister informed that arrears of private enterprises amount to UAH 581 mln or 60% of the general arrears across Ukraine.
N.Korolevska stressed that “under complicated economic circumstances, we managed not only to preserve but even increase the amount of social assistance, unlike in many other countries”.
The Minister thanked the people’s deputies for adopting the two laws that allowed reinforce social protection of the most vulnerable layers of population.
N.Korolevska informed also that there occurred certain cases of untimely payments in October. According to her, the Prime Minister has commissioned to settle this issue.
The Government Question Hour ended at this point.
The First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ihor Kalyetnik voiced out deputies inquiries.
The Presiding announced about establishment of the Inter-faction union “Into Europe without totalitarian heritage”, headed by the people’s deputy Eduard Hurvits.
At the demand of Batkivshchyna and Svoboda factions, a break was announced.
Representative of Svoboda faction A.Kaida expressed his dissatisfaction with fact that the Prime Minister M.Azarov and the Internal Affairs Minister V.Zakharchenko were not present at the Government Question Hour.
The people’s deputies considered two bills on amendments to several legislative acts of Ukraine re determining conditions for pension insurance.
The people’s deputies Iryna Kupreichyk and Volodymyr Zubyk reported on them.
The Chairman of the Committee on Matters of Pensioners, Veterans and Persons with Disabilities Valerii Sushkevych informed that the Committee did not take the decision on these bills and recommends the Verkhovna Rada to decide on these bills in the session hall.
After discussion, the First Deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine I.Kalyetnik noted that the decision on these bills will be taken as soon as other bills on pension reform are scrutinized.
The people’s deputies took the floor with announcements and proposals.
The Presiding adjourned the plenary meeting.
The people’s deputies will work with voters on October 28 – November 1.
Next plenary meeting of the third session will be held on Tuesday, November 5.