Events

Lukashenko calls for simplifying construction rules for basic facilities

ZHITKOVICHI DISTRICT, 14 August (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko called for simplifying regulations for the construction of basic facilities as he spoke during his working trip to Zhitkovichi District on 14 August, BelTA has learned.

Among the facilities shown to the president at Mikhail Shrub’s farm was a vegetable storage facility. Aleksandr Lukashenko reviewed the sorting, storage, pre-sale preparation, and processing technology for vegetables. This is a nationwide issue, as stabilization funds for national needs are largely filled by farms, ensuring the availability of so-called “borscht set” vegetables in stores during the off-season. Farms account for approximately 68% of potato and beet storage, 87% of cabbage, and over 70% of carrots and onions.

Lukashenko stressed the responsibility not only of those who supply these funds but also of those who commit to purchasing the produce, particularly retail chains. “This is under control. You grew it, you agreed, now take it,” the head of state said.

The farm head briefed the president on the construction of the storage facility and the technologies used. Aleksandr Lukashenko called for simplifying design and construction standards, placing responsibility on the builder for basic facilities, similar to the legal framework already in place for rural construction.

“Why should we interfere in his problems? If it’s an industrial facility, a factory or something similar, yes, it needs expert review. But managers should be given the authority. We need to ensure that construction is not a headache for them,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “We’ve over-regulated many things. Managers should be given full freedom. But if something goes wrong, they are responsible. Then they will be the ones to seek expert approval.”

Responsible officials assured the president that necessary decisions had already been made in this area. “Take a look, we may have missed something,” the president responded.

At the end of the visit, Aleksandr Lukashenko was presented with a tasting exhibition of produce from Mikhail Shrub’s farm, including a variety of vegetables and meat and culinary products made according to traditional Belarusian recipes without artificial preservatives - pickled cucumbers, sauerkraut, saltison, lard, and others.