Census is major state event in Russia's life

The all-Russia census, to be held on October 9-16, "is an extremely important state event, organised by all the branches of power," Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said on Monday, opening an enlarged session of the State Census Commission in the House of the Government. The session is being attended by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Kasyanov said that the census, the first one in Russia's post-Soviet history, will help the government solve problems, plan manpower resources, and determine its social policy. He said the legislative basis required for the census had already been prepared. In January, the parliament adopted a corresponding law, and the government has passed several resolutions. Kasyanov said the current session of the state commission must make all mechanisms ready for the upcoming census.