Session to discuss proposals regarding the allocation of commercial residential premises to individual categories of civil servants

Rented homes must be distributed exclusively on principles of fairness and honesty. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement at the government session held on 18 July to discuss proposals regarding the procedure for allocating commercial residential premises to individual categories of civil servants.

The President reminded that the legal aspects of the formation and allocation of rented homes in Belarus were discussed already in November 2013. Back then all the novelties were scrutinized from the point of view of taking into account interests of citizens as much as possible, including foreign practices. The deliberation resulted in the presidential decree that introduced serious amendments to the state housing policy and came into force on 1 April 2014. “Since the document affects interests of a great deal of people it is necessary to monitor the practical application of the decree from the very start,” stressed the Belarusian leader. This is why the President asked questions regarding the progress of the decree’s implementation, any rough spots and shortcomings.

The President also remarked that the decree had determined the categories of citizens entitled to the top-priority allocation of the relevant homes. Those include young specialists, scientists, military personnel, judges, prosecution personnel, and personnel that have to relocate to another populated locality to assume duties in a new office. “Apart from that, in line with the list subject to approval by the head of state such homes are granted to civil servants, which are entitled to the accommodation due to the nature of their work. The relevant list has been prepared by the government. It turns out there are some problems with the list,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

“It should be borne in mind that we should live within our means. People must not be treated unfairly in these matters. Certain categories of people must not be favored over others. Everything must be done honestly and fairly,” stressed the Belarusian leader. “We have many people in need of better homes, for whom rented apartments represent the only possibility to solve their housing problems”.

Aleksandr Lukashenko heard out reports from officials concerned about the relevant matters with regard to the allocation and consequent usage of rented homes. As a result of the discussion the President gave instructions to polish the necessary draft legal acts and warned against introducing more preferences. More preferences are not an option, the head of state said.

“We cannot just go ahead and expand this right for civil servants, thus creating preferences,” stressed Aleksandr Lukashenko. “Otherwise, all the civil servants will live in their own apartments unaware of concerns of the nation. This is why I say that everything must be done honestly and fairly. Nothing can be expanded”.