Putin orders ecological situation be improved in regions

MOSCOW. Aug 6 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has tasked the government and the State Council Commission on Ecological Wellbeing with drafting legislative amendments by which 100% of compensation for negative environmental impacts will be transferred to the budgets of relevant constituent territories.

Putin has approved a list of orders given after an expanded meeting of the Presidential Council for Strategic Development and National Projects and the State Council Commission on areas of Russia's socioeconomic development that took place on May 29.

The orders published on the Kremlin website include measures aimed at achieving the Ecological Wellbeing national target.

The government, working together with the State Council Commission, is tasked with adjusting Russian laws by December 1, 2024, to ensure the full (100%) transfer of compensation for negative environmental impacts to the budgets of Russian constituent territories.

They must also approve a list of environmental protection measures that can be funded with such compensation.

Sanctions against municipal and regional entities which fail to provide standard sewage treatment during renovation and overhaul of central sewage systems must be considered by then.

According to the document, the authorities in Russian constituent territories must have "the right to change the upper limit of the water disposal service fee for households in case of the construction or reconstruction of public utilities."

The fulfillment of these orders will be reported on by December 1.