Putin urges new approach to local affairs

Russian President Vladimir says the country's regions should compete with each other, RIA Novosti reports.

It's quite common that the difference in life quality between two regions situated in one and the same part of the country and having similar resources is sometimes extremely great. It's very important to make the regions compete in order to solve this problem, the president said.

Putin also said that the president should have the final say on governors’ performance. 

Speaking before the State Council – the top presidential advisory body – Putin said a special working group has been created within the administration to oversee the working of governors, and a list of 11 requirements has already been signed into force.

“I recommend that you set up a similar working group within every regional administration in order to observe what is happening…concerning the objectives that were established,” the Russian president said.