President Putin: "People's lives need to improve in 2019"

Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that this message focuses on Russia's socio-economic development issues. Photo: AP

President Putin said Russia needs to move forward and accelerate its development. The government is primarily responsible for changes in the country for the better. What matters to people is what is done and how it improves their lives and the lives of their families at the moment.

"The situation needs to improve immediately. The work of authorities at all levels needs to be smooth, strong and in-depth. The Russian government must take responsibility for this," he stressed.

The Russian leader said that people in 2019 should feel that their lives have improved thanks to the implementation of national projects and based on the people's assessment, the implementation of national projects and the performance of all levels of government will be reviewed in early 2020. Mr. Putin said that officials who are not capable of working at high intensity to implement the country's development plans should resign.

The Russian President believes that thanks to the accumulation of many years of people's labor, the government is now able to concentrate large financial resources for development goals.

Mr. Putin proposed to reduce real estate taxes for families with many children and families with three or more children will receive additional support from the federal budget. The government and the Central Bank should develop a program to support the construction of individual housing, creating conditions for families to not only buy pre-built houses but also build houses on their own land.

It is necessary to create 90,000 more places in kindergartens in 2019. He believes that in 2023-2024, Russia's natural population growth will be restored. Russia is currently in a very complicated demographic phase with a falling birth rate.

Mr. Putin proposed to reduce taxes for construction companies on social works transferred to the state to promote the development of cities and villages. Mr. Putin assigned the task that by the end of 2020, people need to have access to health services in all regions of the country. Digitalization in the health sector needs to be implemented within 3 years./.