Speaking at a meeting on the merger of Irkutsk Region and the Ust-Ordynsky Buryat Autonomous District, President Vladimir Putin emphasised that the socio-economic situation in both regions remains problematic. The pace of change for the better has been slow. People’s real incomes have shown little increase, life expectancy remains lower than the national average and the regions suffer from high rates of crime and disease.
The President said that he would sign a decree on additional measures to support the newly formed region resulting from the merger. The additional measures will support the social sector – kindergartens, schools, central district hospitals and medical centres – and will also be aimed at developing the energy sector.
The government will provide assistance in developing infrastructure, building a bypass road and financing the construction of a bridge across the Angara River.