MOSCOW, November 18 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's new First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev presided Friday over a session of the presidential council on national projects, which seek to address the most burning social problems facing the country, ushering in the practical implementation of an ambitious welfare program.
Medvedev, who chairs the presidential council, said 161 billion rubles ($5.6 billion) had been earmarked in the draft 2006 budget for national projects and called for work to be begun on drafting the relevant legal acts as soon as possible.
The session discussed measures to be taken in the next two or three years to implement the projects, which were highlighted by President Vladimir Putin during a television and radio question and answer session with the nation in September.
"We should do everything to implement successfully the national projects and accomplish the objectives the president set," Medvedev said.
The council, for example, will have to determine criteria for selecting regions where medical centers fitted with latest equipment will be opened in 2006. A total of 15 centers are to be opened across Russia next year as part of one project, Medvedev said.
Medvedev pointed to the shocking condition of clinics and said supplying them with new equipment and ambulance services with vehicles was a priority. Paying additional money to medical personnel and determining principles for incentive premiums to schoolteachers are also in plan.
The council is also expected to tackle the problem of decent and affordable housing, which remains the most acute problem for two thirds of the Russian population. The development of regional infrastructure is another objective facing the council.
Medvedev told the session: "Russian citizens should feel the effect of our work as early as the first half of 2006."
Emphasizing the importance of the projects, Medvedev said the president would preside over a council session on November 29. In 2006, the council is expected to gather once in three or four months, whereas its board will hold meetings every month. A separate working group will oversee each project.
Medvedev, the former head of the presidential administration who was appointed to his new post Monday, said the efforts were directed toward making the majority of Russian's lives and not political games in the run-up to the 2008 presidential elections. Media have cited him as a possible successor to President Putin.
The official said not taking advantage of the favorable economic situation and political stability for improving living standards in Russia would be "immoral."
