How budget was adopted in Masty district council: “Let’s hurry up! We have much to do at home”

Zmitser Kukhlei, deputy of the Masty district council, representative of the democratic forces, said most “deputies” didn’t even know for what purpose they had been elected.

Zmitser Kukhlei from Masty town is a public editor of Radio Svaboda this week. He is the only opposition deputy of the district council in the Hrodna region. He is 29 years old, married. He was a member of the “Young Front”, one of the initiators of creation of the Belarusian Christian Democracy party, activist of the “For Freedom” movement. He graduated from the Higher Pedagogical College, European Humanities University, he is a Master of Political Science.

Zmitser has recently received a notice saying a labour contract wasn’t prolonged with him. A trial last Friday didn’t help him to find justice. Kukhlei is talking about why people in regions don’t understand a role of local self-government.

Zmitser Kukhlei thinks the local elections are paid little attention.

“To my mind, more attention should be paid to this level of power, which reflects political culture of society. I can put my activity in the council as an example.

An annual budget was discussed at one of the last session of the council. I asked questions about different items of the budget. After the third attempt to study out the details, a chairman told me tactlessly that I should be less curious,” the democrat says.

None of the “deputies” present made an attempt to object.

“The audience answered with a buzz, but they supported the chairman, not me. He felt this and said victoriously: ‘You know, Zmitser, people here are busy, they have much to do at home. So sit down and let’s hurry up! But I understand you: you want to show off!’

None of the people present, except for me, tried to object... On the contrary, they were pleased!” Zmitser Kukhlei expresses his indignation.

Though the district council gathers for a session every three months, it lasts not longer than three hours even if important issues are discussed.

“I think again: people come for a session once per three months, but they can’t find more than 3 hours to discuss such an important question! Unfortunately, most of the deputies were handed in this draft document as they enter the room, they possibly didn’t look through figures, facts, schemes...

I wasn’t surprised when after a month we gathered for a session again to adopt amends to the budget. Though errors could have been seen earlier, but everyone was keeping silent and trying to vote as soon as possible. It’s no wonder if most of the “deputies” don’t event know for what purpose they have been elected and why they need it...” Zmitser Kukhlei notes.