Vladimir Putin on Problem of Run-Down Houses

The problem of run-down buildings was among the issues Vladimir Putin discussed with the Cabinet of Ministers during a traditional Monday conference.

Addressing the assembly, the president said the state had allocated 1.3 billion rubles this year to solve the problem of run-down buildings, and asked the government to allocate this money on a regular basis.

He recalled having visited Tula on May 9th, a city he called "a leader in the numbers of run-down houses." He added that Tula had always been playing a marked role in the country's history and remained "the main smithy producing Russian weapons." "But the city still needs a lot of attention from both the local and the federal authorities," said Putin, adding that Tula was situated just 180 kilometres away from Moscow but was nevertheless in "not the best of conditions," and that something had to be done about it.

He also called on the government to "remember the veterans and veterans' organizations." According to his words, both "need support."