20,000 meetings with voters and 9,000 citizen appeals. Dmitry Demidov spoke about the work of the Vitebsk region's parliamentary corps
For the first time in the history of modern Belarus, on February 25, 2024, a single voting day was held, during which deputies of all levels of representative power were elected. The activities of the deputy corps of the Vitebsk region are coordinated by the regional Council of Deputies, which unites 217 local Councils: 23 at the basic territorial level, and 194 at the primary level. What has been done in a year? What lies ahead? What should be paid special attention to? On the eve of the session of the regional Council of Deputies, its chairman Dmitry Demidov answered these and other questions from the correspondent of "VV".
– Dmitry Vladimirovich, the range of issues that life presents to the region's deputy corps is diverse. Please tell us what you are focusing on in your work.
– As emphasized by the head of state Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko on numerous occasions, the main focus of deputies' activities is working with people. At the same time, of course, resolving all issues of public services and meeting the needs and demands of the population directly depends on the state of the economy. The Vitebsk region is confidently moving forward, ensuring positive dynamics in most indicators of socio-economic development. Second place in the country based on the results of 2024 is a logical outcome of the work of the region's leadership and the deputy corps, including.
The dynamic fullness of the budget made it possible to provide additional support to the agro-industrial sector. During the execution of the budget in 2024, the priority of financing social sectors was maintained.
– What forms of work do you consider most effective?
– Personal receptions, "hotlines", dialogue platforms, meetings in labor collectives of enterprises, including problematic and unprofitable ones.
During the period since the elections, about 9,000 voters have appealed to deputies during personal receptions. Approximately 20,000 meetings were held in constituencies, and deputies reported to voters more than 4,000 times.
As the Chairman of the Regional Council of Deputies, I held 20 personal consultations, during which 148 appeals were received. Almost all of them, except for 16, were resolved. It should be noted that the submitted issues and appeals remain under control until their full resolution. Collective appeals are considered collegially with site visits and involvement of narrow specialists.
We also conduct monitoring of the consumer market, visit social and cultural facilities, and communicate with people.
Meetings of deputies of basic and rural councils, where issues of practical application of laws are discussed and experience is exchanged, are very important.
It is noteworthy that deputies are constantly seeking new forms of work. They are frequent guests at seminars, conferences, and round tables with representatives of various social groups. They also participate in local meetings, development of civil initiative projects, days of work with the population, speak in the press, and communicate with constituents on social networks.
– How do the Councils of Deputies work on implementing issues that are most relevant to the population?
– When developing work plans, councils at all levels form them based on issues raised by constituents.
In the socio-economic development programs of the regions, which are considered at the sessions of local Councils of Deputies, great attention is paid to improving land management, enhancing the благоустройство of settlements, involving inefficiently used property in economic circulation, controlling the compliance of economic entities in cities and districts with tax legislation, ensuring fire safety, strengthening public order and discipline, and rational use of budget funds.
For example, in June 2024, the session of the Regional Council considered the issue "On the progress of implementing the measures of the State Program "Comfortable Housing and a Favorable Environment" for 2021-2025. This contributed to increasing the efficiency of production facilities, improving the quality of services provided for meeting social standards while necessarily reducing the costs of their provision, and also strengthened the responsibility of local authorities and employees engaged in the housing and communal services sector for the decisions they make. Issues related to organizing work to create conditions for tourism development, fulfilling the main parameters of the socio-economic development forecast, preventing deaths from external causes, and involving in economic circulation ineffectively used state property are relevant for the Vitebsk region.
In March of the current year, issues of amending the Investment Program of the Vitebsk Region for 2025, regional sets of measures for the implementation of state programs "Agrarian Business", "Land and Property Relations, Geodetic and Cartographic Activities", "Social Protection", "Labor Market and Employment Promotion" for 2021-2025 were considered. These decisions provide for the inclusion of additional measures and clarification of funding volumes.
Close attention is paid to the medical care of the region's population. Issues of analyzing prices and assortment of socially significant goods in retail outlets and public catering facilities are under the constant control of local government and self-government bodies.
Last year, the practice of holding off-site meetings of the specialized commissions of the Regional Council in the regions was also introduced, with the involvement of chairmen of rural councils. This allowed for a more substantive exchange of information and a faster and more effective response to the requests of people living in agro-towns and small settlements. Such meetings were held in the Rossony, Glubokoe, and Orsha districts.
– Dmitry Vladimirovich, please tell us more about the implementation of civil initiatives, as there are already many examples of how they are implemented with the support of local authorities.
– Yes, today we see how actively our civil society is developing through the implementation of project initiatives. Calmly, evolutionarily, without stress and nervousness. There is an increase in people's patriotic consciousness, and primarily among young people.
To coordinate activities in the field of local self-government development, the Vitebsk Regional Association of Local Councils of Deputies has been established and is operating in the region since 2019. In February of this year, the executive directorate of the Association was created, one of whose main activities is organizing the work on considering civil initiative projects and monitoring their implementation.
The entire spectrum of positive trends allows us to look confidently into the future. However, it should be noted that this is not a reason for complacency and resting on our laurels. To maintain positive development dynamics, each of us needs to work hard and diligently.
– Thank you, Dmitry Vladimirovich, for the informative interview. We wish you and all deputies of local authorities success in your future work!