The Russian parliament is mulling more ways for families to make use of their benefits granted after the birth of a second child.

 

The so called ‘maternity capitals’ in place since Jan 2007 have been introduced to improve demographics, by providing women with financial assistance that could be channeled to pay for an apartment or education, either their own or that of their children.

The government has instructed the MPs to consider a range of amendments, including buying a car or sponsoring a rehabilitation of seriously ill children.

 

The program is scheduled to last until late 2016 but can be extended. The chances are low given the deteriorating economic environment.

 

The lawmakers are also concerned with ways to illegally use the funds, in particular through microfinancing institutions.

MPs are also looking to help budding entrepreneurs at the start of their career by providing two-year tax holidays.

 

The State Duma approved in second reading a bill that is poised to increase the number of self-employed individuals in a bid to boost the economy amid massive capital flight and a sluggish economic environment.

 

According to the draft law, the Russian regions will be empowered to exempt entrepreneurs from taxes if they switched to a simplified reporting system.

 

United Russia wants to bar MPs from introducing bizarre bills for PR purposes, according to the Kommersant daily. The move follows a series of scandalous interviews where some MPs explained silly or shocking legislative initiatives as intended PR stunts or attempts to divert the attention of people from real issues.

 

A senator from the upper chamber of the parliament then suggested they should hand in their mandates and become hosts of satire shows on TV.

 

A source in the United Russia party told the newspaper there is currently a high level of discipline in the parliament but there is still a chance for strange bills to hit the floor that’s why they seek to tighten the rules.

Sources: http://www.klerk.ru http://www.interfax.ru