Russia's Call for 'Nationwide Disaster Relief Fund' Rises... Government Says "Premature"

Russian Ruble (Photo by Yonhap News)

[Asia Economy Reporter Onyu Lim] Members of regional councils in Russia have proposed providing disaster relief funds worth 400,000 won to all citizens struggling due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

On the 18th (local time), according to RIA Novosti and other sources, members of the Moscow City Council and the Leningrad Regional Assembly in the northwest proposed to President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin that disaster relief funds of 25,000 rubles (approximately 400,000 won) be given to all adult citizens.

They made this claim through an appeal posted on the Independent Deputies Association website.

The council members suggested providing 25,000 rubles to all adults aged 18 and over and 15,000 rubles to children. Last year, the average monthly salary in Russia was about 43,000 rubles (approximately 700,000 won).

The members explained, "The government has accumulated a large amount of money (National Welfare Fund) in preparation for difficult times, and now is exactly that difficult time," adding that the relief funds would help increase residents' purchasing power and stimulate the economy.

Regarding this proposal, Elena Babkina, a professor at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, also expressed support, stating that direct payments from the government budget to residents could be one of the measures to respond to the epidemic.

However, it is reported that the Russian government still considers it premature to provide disaster relief funds to the entire population.

As of the 18th, the cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Russia has risen to 36,793, with 20,754 cases reported in the capital city of Moscow alone.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.