Translated material
How much does it cost to pump up an army?
Under the “National Defense” section, the budget allocated 281.97 billion rubles. In absolute numbers, an increase of more than 30% compared to 2001. But all this increase should be attributed to inflation: 18--20% for the current year (with a planned rate of 12%) and 11--13% predicted in 2002. That is, in essence, funding for the defense industry is proposed in the same volumes as in 2001. And in percentage terms, funding for the “National Defense” section is constantly decreasing. In 2000 it was 2.91% of the gross domestic product, in 2001 - 2.77%, in the plan for next year - 2.66%. Overall, we are well below what should be allocated for defense.
However, there are also positive aspects in the budget, which one can still agree with. This is an increase in spending on the purchase of weapons and military equipment. This is a solution to issues related to transformations in the Armed Forces. Yes, we cannot agree with the term “military reform”, since in essence we are talking only about a simple reduction of the armed forces. However, sufficient funds are allocated for this reduction in 2001. There are other positive aspects as well.
Nevertheless, our committee—and I emphasize this is a unanimous opinion—believes that the “National Defense” section has significant shortcomings. First of all, this is incomplete financing of the tasks defined by current laws.
Under the guise of carrying out the so-called reform of military pay, the government, lumping everything together, is trying to underfund this item of expenditure. Even taking into account the supposed “accelerated reduction in the number of military personnel,” the deficit of funds planned in the draft budget for the payment of monetary allowances is at least 2 billion rubles. And if, in accordance with the promises made public, the salaries of military personnel are increased in December, then this figure will increase significantly.
There is also underfunding in pension provision for retirees - primarily due to the desire to exclude the cost of food rations from the general pension. They say the amount is small. And you ask a pensioner: is 500-600 rubles significant for him or not?
The government’s position on reducing above-tariff allowances and additional payments to wages to 10% is unclear. According to preliminary estimates, if in the country as a whole the increase in salaries for public sector employees will be 80-100%, then in the Ministry of Defense it will be only 25-54%. To maintain approximately equal share growth in wages for all public sector employees, the Moscow Region needs an additional approximately 7 billion rubles.
It is also unclear why the draft budget plans to provide twenty-ruble monetary compensation for a daily food ration worth 46 rubles. I am convinced that this decision will be followed by mass appeals to the courts, which will most likely take the side of those appealing. And according to the decision of the courts, money will be withdrawn from the current food supply. That is, at the expense of those in the ranks, they will solve the problems of those who quit.
This is the financial side of things. But the legal one.
Clause 2 of Article of the Law “On the Status of Military Personnel” states that changes to this law can only be made by direct amendment. Accordingly, no law on the budget can repeal any articles of the law “On the Status of Military Personnel.” Moreover, in accordance with the Constitution (Article 55), the adoption of laws that worsen the situation of citizens is prohibited. They want to deduct the cost of food rations from pensioners. Does this make their situation worse? Yes. This means we are violating the Constitution.
The analysis shows that there is insufficient spending on other everyday needs: travel allowances and utilities. The first, for example, by order of the Ministry of Finance will be doubled from the beginning of January. The draft budget drawn up by the same Ministry of Finance does not provide for such an increase.
And finally, about benefits. The State Duma is currently considering a bill introduced by the president “On amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation on issues of monetary allowances for military personnel and providing them with certain benefits.” The first part of the bill, concerning bringing the pay of military personnel to the level of civil servants, practically consists of a Duma law, which the president vetoed. The second part of the bill, veiledly called “reform of pay and the provision of certain benefits,” in fact provides for their almost complete abolition. The Defense Committee opposes such a decision.
The right to benefits cannot be canceled under the same 55th article of the Constitution. It is argued that such benefits are beyond the reach of the state. For the first half of 2001, the draft budget allocated 2 billion rubles for these expenses of the Ministry of Defense. Consequently, the price of the issue is 4 billion rubles per year. Will this money really save the entire budget? And are they worth it to completely rock the army?