Putin: Foreign software could become unavailable to state-owned companies, the directors must understand the responsibility for this

MOSCOW. Nov 24 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has supported a proposal on introducing personal responsibility on the part of managers and directors of state-owned companies for fulfilling the requirements of transitioning to domestic software, saying that foreign software could become unavailable at any time, and that the managers and directors must be aware of this.

Telecom and Mass Communications Minister Maksut Shadayev announced the proposal to introduce personal responsibility on the part of managers and directors of state-owned companies for fulfilling the indicators for purchasing Russian software.

"I completely agree with your proposals, including the need to increase the responsibility of the managers and directors of state-owned companies," Putin said at a government meeting on Wednesday.

"Our colleagues must be aware that at some point that even what they are using today for well-known reasons - though we will not talk about regrettable matters now - could simply be closed, and all of them would not be ready; and, if they are not ready, then they will be held responsible for this," Putin said.