Putin concerned about winter season

Today Russian President Vladimir Putin and Deputy Prime Minister ViktorKhristenko discussed preparations for the winter heating season in Russia.The Deputy PM reported to the President that the current fuel reserves(furnace oil and coal) at power stations were in line with norms. TheRussian government will consider the process of preparations for the winterseason at its meeting on August 29, Khristenko declared. He added that inthe near future the Cabinet of Ministers would restart the practice oftelephone conferences with Russian regions on this issue.Speaking about the readiness of the communal services for the winterseason, the Deputy PM stressed that "here is a more varied situation".According to him, regions have concentrated their resources on salarypayments. Funds that are to be allocated from the federal budget for thethird and fourth quarters will be "used for preparations of the communalservices for the winter season". A special government meeting will bedevoted to this question, the official noted.Putin pointed out that "everything should be done with common sense". Atthe end of the third quarter it is already cold in some regions. "That iswhy, if you are going to allocate money for them meaning the fourthquarter, it is already late", the President specified. .