Russian parliament passes RAS reforms

331 members of the lower chamber of the Russian parliament gave votes for reforms of the RAS, 107 against and one abstained. Passing of the bill in the third reading was initiated by Alexander Sinenko. The CPRF voted against it, Vedomosti reports.

The documents includes over 40 amendments reflecting 90% of expectations of the RAS, as stated by the head of the education committee Vyacheslav Nikonov. Boris Kashin of the CPRF said that members of the RAS will have no property or finances. The RAS annual budget totals 60 billion rubles.

A special federal agency will take institutes of the RAS under control, despite academicians’ request for joint control. The Saint Petersburg center for studies of regions headed by Jores Alferov will continue research.

Nikolay Bulayev of the United Russia Party spoke out against the amendment on making science centers independent legal bodies.