OREANDA-NEWS. November 16, 2009. The instructions regarding Russia’s economic modernisation concern, in particular, procedures regulating the manufacture, sale and safety of medicines, increased efficiency of government participation in business entities, reorganising state corporations, carrying out research and development in advanced technology fields in Russia, tax and financial policy regarding innovation activity, and also specific measures for ending wastage of gas associated with oil extraction.

Instructions in the education and social sectors concern modernisation of general basic education, developing socially-oriented non-business organisations, and drafting federal laws to support non-profit organisations’ activities.

In the area of electoral rights and developing democratic institutions instructions have been issued to draft amendments to the laws on the formation of legislative (representative) bodies in the Russian regions and the organisation of elections.

Separate instructions have been issued on improving judicial proceedings.

Instructions in the area of regional development concern investment projects in the North Caucasus republics, improving the quality of education in these regions, and also evaluating the effectiveness of the federal authorities’ measures aimed at resolving the problems in the North Caucasus. 

An instruction has also been issued to replace outdated analogue military communication systems with digital technology, above all in the North Caucasus Military District, and submit to the State Duma a draft federal law on servicemen’s wages. 

Another instruction has been given to draw up criteria for evaluating foreign policy and foreign economic activity’s contribution to helping Russia reach its economic modernisation and technological development objectives.

The officials responsible for carrying out the instructions include Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office Sergei Naryshkin, Chairman of the Central Electoral Commission Vladimir Churov, and Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov. 

Specific deadlines have been set for the instructions’ implementation.