Kept persons

Amid the economic crisis "deputies" have cadged from Lukashenka substantial pensions for themselves.

Deputies of the "chamber of representatives" of the last but one convocation recalled allowances for some citizens. They had no scruples to pinch pensioners, students and schoolchildren, persons affected by Chernobyl disaster... People had many claims because of that, "Narodnaya Volya" informs.

It's true however that soon passion smoothed down: nothing could be done about that, we have a poor country. Stretch your legs according to the coverlet, so to say.

Even rich shouldn't spend money like water certainly. People say: penny and penny laid up will be many.

However a paradox takes place. In the period of "economic starvation diet" the same deputies have cadged substantial pensions for themselves from Lukashenka. Even professors cannot dream of such salaries, not speaking about mere mortals. It looks as if Alyaksandr Lukashenka and "people's servants" have saved money on voters' stomaches which has allowed them to find a big roll for former "deputies".

For what merits have Lukashenka provided prosperous old age for some citizens?! Have "deputies" lost their energies in the battle for "people's welfare"? Or have they worked up an appetite over the few years of being members of the "chamber of representatives", and they have to eat two meals? They are likely to get used to luxury and large salaries. Do elderly people have less merits? They have raised the country from ruins. And do persons affected by Chernobyl catastrophe need no money support? Or what about honorary citizens of Vitsebsk? Their pension is... 4-5 times less than former deputies'.

One more detail. There are two laws on pensions in our country. One law concerns common people, including employees of prosecutor's officesand courts. And the second law, "On pension benefits of military men". THhis law is for the Deence Ministry, the KGB, the Interior Affairs Minisry and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

It means that deputies are given pension oiutside laws. Alyaksandr Lukashenka calls it "allowance". Have the deputies become so poor over the 4 years that tax payers have to support them now? How expensive these "kept persons" are!

One thing is good, not all deputies are to feed on citizens. About 30 persons of the last but one convocation who have pensionary age, who have retired, recieve "personal pension". The Mighty Handful. The number of honorary citizens in Belarus is almost the samem, but they are left in shade.

There are many things to say about it, but is there anybody to listen?

When the article was ready, a journalist of "Narodnaya Volya" asked Zoya Krot (a former deputy of the "chamber of representetives") to comment on the situation related to the topic.

"I do not like when people count money in my purse," Zoya Krot said.

- But Mrs Krot, it is not normal when deputies' pensions are higher than generals' ones...

-- Well, but generals can work while having a pension, and we do not have such a right. Everyone has one's benefits and minuses.

-- As a former worker of the ocial security system could you comment on legality of "allowance" for former "deputies".

-- It is not connected with the pensio law, as it is recieved from a different source. That's all. Thus, nobody does an injustice to pensioners.

-- But the state is not a cash cow...

-- The state exists thanks to taxpayers, investments. We have been working for the good of taxpayers as well.

The journalist talked to another former "deputy". Unfortunately, he didn't want his name to be mentioned. But he told that his "allowance" is about 2 mln 400 thousand rubles. However, he hinted that after the change of the regime he won't have this pension.

We have to hope that changes are around the corner. Justice must triumph.