Economy Ministry comments on new division of authority

New regulations for division of authority among the levels of the executive branch of the government could come into force on November 1, 2005, Deputy Economy Minister of Russia Vitaly Shipov reported at a briefing today.

According to him, on November 21, the government will discuss corresponding bills. After this, they are to be introduced to the State Duma. At the same time, he pointed out that if the lower house adopted these bills before April 2003, they would most likely come into force on January 2005.

Shipov reported that the bills envisaged "a clear division of authority" among the levels of the executive branch of the government; additionally, they introduced regulations for the responsibility of regional and local authorities.

According to the Deputy Minister, the adoption of these bills requires the amending of a lot of federal laws, first of all the Budget and the Tax Codes.