Tiraspol, 4 July. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. The prime minister, Alexander Martynov, held a meeting, the main topic of which was an additional set of measures to limit inflation. The meeting was also attended by Supreme Council members and members of NGOs: the chairman of the Public Chamber, Vitaly Glebov, and representatives of the Pridnestrovian People's Forum, the government's press service reports.
The prime minister finds it necessary to involve NGO members in such work: «It is important that the public should receive first-hand information early and promptly about the government's work.»
To prevent a decline in the real income of the population is the main purpose of the governmental bodies, Alexander Martynov says. Price rises have three components: devaluational, seasonal and speculative. The relevant ministry found last week why food prices are rising. As a result, the minister presented an analysis of price increases and measures to stabilise prices.
«We are going to abolish special customs duties on imported dairy products to reduce the possible burden on the population," noted Sergey Obolonik.
In order to prevent the growth of medication prices, the government plans to reduce a marginal mark-up percentage and introduce fixed prices for essential drugs. Besides, the pharmacy network was requested to check the relevance of the mark-up indicated in the accounting reports.
«Let me give you an example. A medication was sold for 150 roubles instead of 110 roubles indicated in the report. The inspection revealed that the mark-up was 10%, whereas the real mark-up was 50%. The fact is, part of the receipts was not collected. Who can guarantee this is not happening today?» said Martynov.
A special working group will be formed following the prime minister's order to answer this issue and verify information on price collusion by food sellers. The group will include members of the tax authorities, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of State Security, price committeee, the government's control department.
«We, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Anti-Trust and Price Committee, will also undertake activities aimed at excluding the speculative component," said the ministry of economic development.
A separate assignment was given to the Ministry of Healthcare — to advise patients on the relatively inexpensive and efficient drugs available in the pharmacy network. This was proposed by NGO members.
Another proposal of theirs was to make agricultural fairs in the cities and districts of the country more regular and effective. The government instructed the heads of state administrations to deal with this issue.
Work on measures to limit price increases will be permanent. Public service tariffs have already been frozen since the start of the year; arrangements have been made not to increase communication and fuel prices.
«If we see that the measures we have taken are not sufficient, we will consider other mechanisms. We need to bring down inflation, rising prices," said Martynov.
At the end of the meeting, the NGO members thanked Alexander Martynov for the opportunity to jointly discuss the relevant issues of citizens' lives.
«We are very grateful to have been invited to such a meeting. I must say it is important today to listen to people with a great deal of experience, who can share and help," concluded Vitaly Glebov.
