“Indulgence” to pensioners before election

Alyaksandr Lukashenka has signed a decree envisaging half-fare commuter service tickets for pensioners in the period of agricultural work.

“For the period of agricultural works from May 1 till October 1, 2008, pensioners are given a 50% discount for tickets for railway, water and automobile passenger suburban transport (except taxi)”, Interfax was told by the press-service of the head of the state.

The press-service specified that no special mechanism was offered for buying tickets. The abovementioned citizens will be able to buy tickets at usual spots demonstrating a pensioner’s certificate.

The decree comes into force from the day of its official publication (April 22, 2008), the press-service reports.

Many people believe that this “indulgence” to pensioners by the authorities is related to the forthcoming election to the chamber of representatives.