OREANDA-NEWS. July 29, 2010. The government did not take any decision on elimination of funds for regional development in local budgets after the fiscal reform.

This was stated by the Prime Minister Mykola Azarov at press conference related to "Causes of alignment of tariffs for natural gas to economic levels and the Government's measures to strengthen the social protection of population".

"I hear about it for the first time. I have read carefully the Budget Code, the Government has not taken any of such decisions" - Mykola Azarov emphasized.

However, the Prime Minister noted that from 2011 local government budgets would increase to 23 billion UAH, a portion of income tax is fixed with them.

" Regional leaders have an opportunity to take finally care about their villages, districts, cities, regions so they become attractive for investment. We give the credentials - very serious and very significant. So I cannot comment on what does not exist" - the Head of Government stressed.