Established October 21, the council is expected to study national projects in health care, education, housing and agriculture, which are designed to raise living standards in Russia, and determine ways to implement them. The council is headed by the president and co-headed by First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, former head of the presidential administration. Medvedev pledged to spend 95% of his time on the projects.
The council comprises government officials, regional leaders, senior members of the upper and lower houses of parliament and prominent members of the academic community.
Today, the council is expected to identify six regions where modern medical centers will be built in 2006. It will also look into preparations for raising the salaries of teachers.
