Chechnya receives only 26 mln out of intended 14 bln roubles to restore housing

According to the Russian Audit Chamber, only a small part of means allocated by Moscow to restore destroyed houses in Chechnya has reached the republic. Out of the 14 billion rubles (29.8 rubles equals 1 USD-Ed.) planned for 2003, only 350 million was allocated in January-September and only 26 million reached Chechnya. Head of the Russian Audit Chamber Sergei Stepashin announced these figures at the Chamber's session on Friday. The session discussed the results of inspection of using state means allocated for Chechnya over the nine months of 2003 to restore its social sphere and economy.

This is "one of the soft spots" discovered during the inspections, Stepashin pointed out.

The check was carried out by the Chamber's special inspection set up on Russian President Vladimir Putin's recommendation for "permanent monitoring" of use of money in Chechnya, he said.

Stepashin has already briefed the President on the results and he has given "necessary instructions" to Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov, the chairman added.