Putin proposes giving Russian Guard powers to ensure security of Russian regions' governors
MOSCOW. Nov 6 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has submitted to the State Duma a bill to give the Russian Guard powers to ensure security of senior officials of the Russian Federation's constituent entities as the measure requires the head of state's decision.
Appropriate amendments are proposed to the applicable Federal Law "On the Troops of the National Guard of the Russian Federation". The draft law was published in the State Duma database on Monday.
The bill states that the security of senior officials of the Russian Federation's territorial entities (heads of Russian regions' top executive authorities) and other people will be protected under procedures approved by the Russian president.
Security services "should be provided solely on a contractual basis" to heads of Russian regions and "as a rule, on a contractual basis" to others, unless the Russian president decides otherwise," explanatory materials said.
It is expected that the bill will take effect 180 days after its official publication.
Putin has appointed the Russian Guard deputy director, the commander of the National Guard Forces, Sergei Lebedev, as his official representative during the consideration of the draft bill by both houses of the Russian parliament.
The Russian government said in its opinion on the draft law that it upheld the legislative initiative. It is also explained in the accompanying material that the initiative's implementation will not require any additional funds from the Russian federal state budget.