On Saturday, June 19, Vladimir Putin announced several major infrastructure programs and spoke about the urgent problems for Russian society during his address to the participants of the XX Congress of the United Russia party.

In particular, the head of state stressed the importance of vaccination against the background of the situation with the spread of coronavirus infection.

The President spoke about his conversation with specialized specialists and noted that the consequences of the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus are still being studied.

“This is not only a lesion of the lungs, but also vascular lesions, and specialists still have to figure out where this ultimately leads.

Let me remind you once again that getting vaccinated is better than getting sick.

In any case, this is the position of leading specialists in our country and in the world, ”Putin said.

The President also said that the top priority of the authorities is to update the health care system, strengthen human resources and "organize the work of all polyclinics and hospitals around the person."

Putin stressed that the main task of modern healthcare is not only to overcome the disease, but also to create conditions that allow a person to return to an active, full-fledged life.

“Let's face it, the system of medical rehabilitation after operations, injuries, cardiovascular and oncological diseases, of course, needs qualitative development.

Today, this task is especially relevant, given that many of our citizens have faced serious complications due to the coronavirus, "Putin said.

Families, demographics and youth

The head of state reiterated the importance of supporting families with children.

He recalled that due to two "historical failures" the country falls into a demographic hole.

“The situation is difficult, we all know, but in order to reverse negative trends, we need to focus on this goal all our efforts to develop the economy and regions, social sphere, healthcare, education, to strengthen traditional values, realizing that a prosperous, strong family with children - this is the future of Russia, ”the president said.

He urged to arrange work in such a way that by the end of 2026 "significantly reduce the risks of facing poverty for families with children."

According to the president, it is necessary to ensure a significant increase in their prosperity.

As one of the measures, the president proposed exempting families with two or more children from paying income tax when selling a home, if during the year the money they received is used to buy another home.

“Thus, you and I will be able to provide people with more opportunities to improve their living conditions.

Some penny will remain in their hands - they will be able to use it to buy a larger apartment, ”Putin said.

The head of state also spoke about the launch of a permanent youth employment support program.

He called on the congress participants to get involved in its work, taking into account the specifics of the regions and the wishes of the young generation themselves.

“The main thing is to understand them, listen, hear, take up initiatives and provide, as I have already said, a reliable shoulder, direct their activity where it is needed and demanded by the country,” the president explained.

Infrastructure projects

The head of state cited data according to which 72% of school buildings in the country are in need of current repairs, and 10% - in capital.

Speaking of this, Putin called for a program to overhaul Russian schools.

"A small number, but still there are those that are in emergency condition, which is absolutely unacceptable," he added.

The President instructed the government, together with the regions, with the participation of United Russia, to prepare a special program for the overhaul of schools for the next five years, with an emphasis on rural schools.

Along with this, the president proposed to allocate at least 30 billion rubles for the period until 2024 for the development of secondary vocational education.

“These funds will be used to upgrade the material base, and to retrain teachers, masters of industrial training.

Let me emphasize that this is the most important task, since qualified specialists in blue-collar professions are the backbone of modern industry, agriculture, transport, all sectors of the economy, and it is precisely such specialists that we do not have enough now, ”the head of state noted.

He added that another large-scale task for the country is the construction of roads, utilities and engineering networks.

"Such a broad renewal is primarily needed by our people, citizens and, of course, will open up new prospects for cities and towns, new prospects for economic development," Putin added.

The President recalled that a program of infrastructure budget loans will be launched in 2021.

According to him, the regions will be able to attract funds for a period of at least 15 years at a low rate - no more than 3% per annum.

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In this regard, the Russian leader urged the regions, federal departments and large companies not to set "comfortable terms that go beyond the horizon, with a margin of time."

“People need results today or tomorrow.

New pilot infrastructure projects should be implemented, give a return for the development of our territories already on the horizon of 2023-2024, ”the president said.

The head of state also proposed to allocate an additional 150 billion rubles for regional projects for the modernization and construction of life support systems.

In addition, he said that the regions will receive 50 billion rubles for projects to develop and modernize public transport and another 30 billion for the repair of highways.

“Roads are always development, new opportunities for citizens, they are just important for life.

It is imperative to build up the good, steady pace chosen here.

You know well: there are no roads - and that's it, silence, like in the taiga.

There is a road - life begins right around the corner: small, medium-sized businesses, and even large enterprises appear.

Life is what infrastructure is, ”Putin said.

At the same time, he stressed that money should be directed to roads "in the coming days" so that the regions could use them in the summer and autumn months, "that is, during the period optimal for high-quality road works."