The North Caucasus needs elections of region heads via direct vote, Alexander Khloponin, Russian Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the North Caucasian Federal District and Vice-Premier, said commenting on Russian President Dmitry Medvedev’s message for the Federal Assembly, RIA Novosti reports.
The envoy added that preparations of bills for decenteralization of authority may take 3-4 months and their realization would probably start in 2013.
Commenting on principles of taxing between the federal and regional budgets, Khloponin noted that it is not a primary issue. The problem is not in keeping the 50/50 ratio. According to different estimations, there is lack of 1 trillion rubles.
Medvedev spoke about redistribution of power in June 2011. Two groups were formed to make proposals on the initiative. One was headed by Khloponin, the other one by Vice-Premier Dmitry Kozak. The Kozak’s group worked on legal aspects of decentralization, Khloponin’s – financial.
The groups proposed giving regional authorities over 100 powers. The reform concerns 505 territorial structures with over 220,000 people working. The idea may be realized in mid-2012.
An essential part of the reform is redistribution of income between the federal and regional budgets with redistribution of income sources.
A set of functionaries and politicians, including head of the Accounts Chamber Sergey Stepashin and Governor of Sverdlovsk Region Alexander Misharin, have spoken for a switch to redistribution of income according to the 50/50% principle. The country uses the 66/34% principle at the moment.
