Miory Regional Executive Committee
The President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, will appoint the current head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Igor Brylo, as an Assistant to the Governor of the Vitebsk Region. This was announced at a recent videoconference meeting on issues related to the harvest campaign.
The Head of State inquired in detail about the situation in the Vitebsk Region. "We will begin active harvesting in about a week and a half. At present, only 24 combines are currently non-operational. They will be brought into service by the 24th," reported Governor Alexander Subbotin.
"I am warning you. A technical inspection serves as proof that the combines and other machinery are operational. Nothing else will be accepted," said Alexander Lukashenko.
Alexander Subbotin informed that 78% of all combines have undergone technical inspection. In half of the cases, combines were not cleared for work due to overdue lease payments. "We are currently actively covering these payments, settling them, and will accordingly bring them back into operation. By the 26th, prior to the start of mass harvesting, all combines will have passed their technical inspection," he explained.
The President emphasized that the Minister of Agriculture personally bears responsibility for this as the official in charge of the Vitebsk Region. It was noted that the current head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is being appointed to the post of Assistant in the Vitebsk Region.
"So, beginning with this harvest campaign, the Minister of Agriculture will serve as an Assistant in the Vitebsk Region. And you, Igor, will submit weekly reports to me on the situation in the Vitebsk Region. It appears they have forgotten there that work must be done. Everyone is simply waiting. There is some expectation among them that someone will arrive, bring funding, and handle things differently," said Alexander Lukashenko. "You know our approach there. It must be fully implemented. Along with Subbotin, you bear full personal responsibility for this."
The President also instructed to promptly select a candidate for the new minister: "Finalize the candidate for Minister of Agriculture, Roman Aleksandrovich (Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko. - BELTA note). We need a candidate by next week. We cannot proceed with the grain harvest when there is no one responsible for it."
During the meeting, addressing Governor Alexander Subbotin, the President said: "I would like you to welcome a new assistant. However, expect no quiet life. You understand that I am not sending Brylo into exile. The purpose is to finally get the Vitebsk Region back on its feet. He knows what needs to be done. We will discuss his specific duties with him separately. Nevertheless, there will be no quiet life there either. He will maintain direct contact with all those he currently works with on an equal basis – ministers and government members. Although you too are not a newcomer, having worked in the government for a considerable period."
"However, bear in mind that neither Isachenko, nor Krupko, nor you (the heads of the Mogilev, Gomel, and Vitebsk regions. - BELTA note) have any room to retreat. That is final! There is nowhere to retreat! The eastern regions must demonstrate progress. They must develop and deliver positive dynamics," the Belarusian leader concluded.