Translated material
There are fewer deferments, but demobilization is earlier
Deputies clarified new rules for military service
As expected, a block of four military bills passed the second reading in the State Duma without any problems. The first reading took place at the end of April this year. The only thing that caused debate yesterday was the document concerning the abolition of deferments from military service, and, as lawyers say, on formal grounds.A small group of deputies led by independent Vladimir Ryzhkov proposed to withdraw the document from consideration because, in their opinion, the rules of the regulations were violated - the bill was sent to deputies only the night before. But the Duma members listened to Mr. Ryzhkov’s opponent, the chairman of the defense committee, General Viktor Zavarzin, who claimed that the deputies received the document on Monday.
As a result, it was decided: from January 1, 2008, nine of the 26 deferments from military service in force today will be clarified (five reasons) or canceled altogether (four reasons). Let us remind you that those who lost deferments included conscripts who constantly work at state-owned enterprises, rural teachers and doctors, students of educational institutions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the fire service, customs authorities, and conscripts with a pregnant (26 weeks) wife. This also includes conscripts who are given the right to a deferment by decrees of the President of Russia. Among them were students of religious educational institutions.
The grounds for deferrals for those receiving primary and secondary vocational education have also been significantly adjusted. Now the age criterion of conscripts will be taken into account: students of educational institutions with state accreditation will retain the right to a deferment for the duration of their studies, but only until they reach 20 years of age.
The tough position of the Ministry of Defense regarding delays was somewhat softened this time. In particular, at the proposal of United Russia, fathers who have disabled children (this is a new deferment) or two or more healthy children are exempt from service. In full accordance with the latest demographic guidelines of Vladimir Putin.
The bill also provides for payments from the federal budget of monthly benefits to the family of a conscript if it has a child under three years of age. The benefit amount will be 6 thousand rubles. Deferments will also remain for young men whose parents require constant care and medical assistance. But in this case, an official medical report must be submitted to the military registration and enlistment office.
Deputies of the lower house once again agreed with the proposal of the military department to reduce military service to one and a half years from next year and to 12 months from 2008. The terms of alternative service are also reduced in approximately the same proportions. From now on, the number of young people shaved per call will almost double. Hence, according to the military, there is an urgent need to cancel some of the deferments, for the number of which Russia today holds the world record. Of course, except for those countries where there is a professional contract army.
The bills adopted yesterday in the second reading establish that military training centers will operate in civilian universities. After training there, the young man is required to serve as an officer for at least three years. If after his studies (during which he will receive an increased scholarship) he refuses to conclude a contract with the Ministry of Defense, he may be held financially liable. The institution of officers assigned to civilian departments is abolished. Now they will be forced to either resign or suspend their military service.
Who the deputies deprived were graduates of the country's creative universities. In particular, singers and dancers, whose postponements on the eve of the plenary session of the State Duma were actively supported by famous creative personalities. Apparently, the deputies were convinced by the words of the head of the Main Organizational-Mobilization Directorate of the General Staff, Colonel-General Vasily Smirnov: “We do not plan to make exceptions for anyone, because if we give up on this issue, then others will take advantage of it.”