| The state wants to reduce the number of victims of the Chernobyl disaster On the next anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, liquidators of its consequences and the public are talking not about heroism, but about litigation. A week or two after the 16th memorial dinner, the highest judicial body of our country must render its verdict on the compliance with the Constitution of a number of provisions of the law “On the social protection of citizens exposed to radiation as a result of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant” as amended in 2001. “Chernobyl survivors” believe that the state intends to cut their benefits and diminish their services to their compatriots.
The liquidators are unhappy with the new rules for calculating compensation for health lost in the Chernobyl zone (see information). State representatives, on the contrary, insist that the new scheme is fairer and also increases the amount of payments for the majority of disabled people. The showdown reached the Constitutional Court, which heard both sides in early April. The Constitutional Court now claims that work on the wording of the definition is being completed and the verdict will be announced after the May holidays. This is expected in many regions, because the outcome of trials in local courts throughout the country will depend on the decision of the Constitutional Court.
However, changing the scheme for calculating compensation is far from the only maneuver the state has taken to reduce the number of applicants for compensation. The government is already preparing new amendments to the law “On the social protection of citizens exposed to radiation as a result of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.” The president of the Chernobyl Union of Russia, Vyacheslav Grishin, called them “another attempt to curtail Chernobyl benefits.” We are talking about the transition to the “dose concept” for assessing the health of the population living in radiation-contaminated territories (previously the contamination of territories was assessed). The government came up with this initiative, and the bill is already in the State Duma. The adoption of the “dose concept” will significantly reduce the number of people who will receive compensation from the state for living in contaminated areas. The area of these territories is already gradually decreasing. Currently, only four regions in Russia are considered affected by Chernobyl: Bryansk, Kaluga, Oryol, and Tula. 1.7 million people live in contaminated areas, and after recalculating the dose load, the number of applicants for compensation may be reduced to 150 thousand people.
Naturally, all public organizations uniting those affected by the disaster are categorically against the “dose concept.” In their opinion, there is now no effective methodology for calculating individual “accumulations” since 1986, which would take into account the entire spectrum of overexposure of the population. “We consider this step premature,” said Vyacheslav Grishin. - Among other things, we must take into account the social consequences of the disaster. First, we need to restore the infrastructure of those settlements that were destroyed as a result. For example, build something to replace a closed peat enterprise, give people work and the opportunity to earn money.” So far, according to Vyacheslav Grishin, the population of the affected areas receives from 60 to 600 “grave” rubles a month, and the funds allocated even according to the old concept are “shamefully insufficient.” For example, schoolchildren are paid only 1 ruble 20 kopecks per day for additional meals. In addition, as the president of the Chernobyl Union noted, in Russia there is still no developed institute of examination that would establish the connection between health status and the consequences of the accident. This allows some, mainly officials, to talk about exaggerating the scale of the disaster, while others can undeservedly enjoy benefits. “However, the lack of examination is not the fault of really sick people who are forced to prove something to everyone today,” said Mr. Grishin. On the atomic account
On April 12, 2001, serious amendments were made to the law of the Russian Federation “On the social protection of citizens exposed to radiation as a result of the disaster at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.” From now on, damage caused to the health of disabled “Chernobyl” victims must be compensated monthly in fixed amounts, the amount of which depends only on the disability group of the victim. In paragraph 25 of Article 14 of the law, the amounts of payments are also indicated: disabled people of group I - 5,000 rubles monthly, disabled people of group II - 2,500 rubles, disabled people of group III - 1,000 rubles. In the previous version of the law, the amount of compensation was determined depending on the degree of disability based on the average earnings of the liquidator or part of it during work in the Chernobyl nuclear power plant zone.
Those disabled people to whom compensation was accrued before the amendments to the law can choose whether to receive money according to the old scheme, depending on the average “Chernobyl” salary, or in new fixed amounts. True, the law limited the maximum amount of payments received by disabled “Chernobyl” victims and their families who have lost their breadwinner to 10 thousand rubles. Those who applied for compensation for health damage after April 12, 2001, do not have such a choice. Irina BELASHEVA |
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