Russia's President Urges Prompt Remedying Of Heat-supply Emergencies

Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded from the government within one month to prepare a report on reasons for emergency situations during the heating season. At a meeting with Vice-Premier Victor Khristenko, Vladimir Putin wanted to know how emergencies are handled in the vast Far Eastern regions -- Primorye, Sakhalin, and Kamchatka -- as well as in the north-west and south of Russia. Vladimir Putin wants the government to "work more closely with the heads of these regions" so as in the shortest possible time to eliminate the emergencies there, said the press secretary of the Russian head of state. Within a month the president expects a report on what gives rise to emergency situations, said the presidential public relations officer. Vladimir Putin also noted the importance of thorough, balanced and, at the same time, consistent materialisation of the government's plans for reforming the housing and communal sector. The two also discussed matters of reforming the electric industry.