Ilsur Metshin: "It is important that the proposals of municipalities are heard at the federal level"

(Kazan City KZN.RU, December 15). In the Volga Federal District system to support the work of municipalities has been established, and organizations such as the Association of Cities of the Volga region help improve the work in various sectors through the exchange of the most successful experiences. This was stated by the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, commenting on the results of the joint meeting of the District Advisory Council on Development of Local Government, the Association of legislators of the Federation and District Association of the Volga cities.

The meeting was held today in Orenburg under the chairmanship of Presidential Envoy in the Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich. In addition to the Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin, the Republic of Tatarstan at the workshop was represented by the State Council Chairman Farid Mukhametshin.

The main topic of the meeting was to discuss the implementation of the practices in the regions of changes in federal laws adopted in 2014-2015. Mikhail Babich said that the municipalities have not easy tasks. According to him, today there are certain budgetary constraints, because of which it is difficult to reallocate budget. Nevertheless, contact work with regional and municipal heads is important for the federal government, because all the tested and successful initiatives are taken and examined at the legislative level.

Farid Mukhametshin noted that Tatarstan is today one of the leaders in the implementation of innovative initiatives. It has particular relevance due to a number of external factors of reduced funding for the regions. In such circumstances you need to look for internal resources. As an example Farid Mukhametshin brought the practice of self-taxation of Tatarstan, where residents collect their own funds for certain projects, such as repair of yards, landscaping or other. The republican government, in turn, allocates the budget amount of 4 times more than the assembled by the residents.

According Ilsur Metshin, Volga Federal District is the leader in various successful initiatives primarily due attention to the problems of municipalities. "I want to thank Presidential Envoy in the Volga Federal District Mikhail Babich for systematic work to support municipalities. Communicating with colleagues from other regions, we come to the conclusion that not every region can boast of such work and such attention, "- the Mayor of Kazan said.

"Money is always in short supply, even in the richest countries and cities. It is important that an advisory platform - Association of the Volga cities – was created, where we develop monthly suggestions that are heard at the federal level. This is a platform for sharing experiences. We share our experiences, because even the smallest towns have successful projects for the collection and disposal of solid waste, providing housing to the poor, or many others. The past year proved the importance of all this work and we will certainly continue it, "- I. Metshin said.