Russian Government okays Finance Ministry's document

The Russian Government held its regular session here today, approving all of the Finance Ministry's amendments to the 2002 federal budget. This was disclosed to reporters by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Alexei Kudrin.

According to Kudrin, the Cabinet okayed all budgetary amendments in connection with the decision to raise servicemen's pay grades and the wages of people working for state-run organizations. Such appropriations will total an impressive 38 billion roubles, or more than $1 billion, Kudrin stressed.