A package of laws on delimitation of power between the federal centre and the regions and on benefit payments is due to come into force on January 1, 2005. Meeting with the Government, Mr Putin asked the cabinet members to closely monitor the implementation of this new legislation in the federal centre and in the regions.
The President stressed that this is not the time to speculate on problems the new legislation might entail or to create difficulties for the regions that are conscientiously fulfilling all their obligations.
Mr Putin asked the Prime Minister to pay priority attention to problems in the regions.