SHOIGU LEARNS THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING MODEST

Today, Russia’s Premier Mikhail Kasyanov visited, instead of the Duma, the Ministry of Emergency Situations’ headquarters. Addressing the gathering devoted to summing up of the ministry’s activity, the premier called on its management and the Finance Ministry to monitor more closely the spending of funds allocated for tackling various emergency situations. Why is Mr. Kasyanov so concerned? The point is that “the money is used not for the purpose it has been earmarked to in a number of cases.” The state, as Mr. Kasyanov put it, has always found money for the rescue workers. This year alone, they got more than Rbs1bn from the government reserve. At the same time, you can’t take your eyes of its use for a moment, Mr. Kasyanov stressed meaning that the money may be embezzled. Interestingly, it is for the first time, that the prime minister publicly criticizes Mr. Shoigu who combines his ministerial post with heading the pro-presidential Yedinstvo political movement. He has previously been considered immune being fovoured by the President. Still, according to some sources in the Duma, Sergei Kuzhugetovich evokes more and more unfavourable criticism from his fellowmen. He is reproached for being too arrogant and flaunting his general’s uniform. So, the mild criticism on the part of the prime minister should prompt Mr. Shoigu to being more modest.