MINIĆ: INVESTMENT CYCLE BAM 6.6 BILLION; EVERYTHING WE DO IS IN RESIDENTS’ INTEREST

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 16 /SRNA/ – Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić has stated today that the value of the current investment cycle in Republika Srpska amounts to BAM 6.6 billion, which is significant for social progress and improving citizens' living standards.

Minić said that Republika Srpska regularly meets its budget obligations and has the capacity to allocate additional funds for salaries, pensions, veterans allowances, social welfare categories, the economy, and education.

"I have a responsibility to the citizens and I stand behind my actions. I will not retreat under any pressure or false claims that we are pushing Republika Srpska toward collapse. Republika Srpska is not over-indebted and is less indebted than countries in the region," Minić said during the debate on the proposed revised budget for this year in the Republika Srpska National Assembly.

He stressed that further progress will continue because Republika Srpska is implementing significant projects.

"We have allocated more than BAM 600 million to local communities for project implementation. I ask, when has there ever been a better payment dynamic in agriculture and in all other sectors? I am proud that we are systematically regulating the rights of veterans, war invalids, former camp detainees, and mothers and fathers caring for sick children," Minić added.

He said that an agreement should be reached with trade union representatives under which Sunday work would be compensated at a rate 30 percent higher.

"Everything we do is for the benefit of citizens. Why don't PDP deputies ask themselves what is happening in Banja Luka, how the city is borrowing money, how many advisers Mayor Draško Stanivuković has, and why money is being wasted? Stanivuković promised a general hospital, yet it has not been built," Minić said.

He noted that he is proud to be a member of the Republika Srpska War Veterans Organization and that the Government is systematically addressing the problems of veteran categories as well as those of all citizens.

"There is no country in the region that allocates more funds than Republika Srpska for amputees. Veterans who are 65 years old and do not receive a pension will receive double the amount of veterans allowances. We will allocate significant funds to mothers and fathers fighting for the well-being of their sick children, and I am particularly proud of that," Minić said.

He reiterated that he had already outlined in his inaugural address all the measures addressed in the proposed revised budget of Republika Srpska for this year.