April 28, 2012 - 16:08 AMT
Putin wants extra budget revenues to be spent on social programs

Russian President-elect Vladimir Putin has ordered this year’s extra budget revenues should be spent primarily on social programs, RIA Novosti reported.

The Finance Ministry has proposed redistributing a total of 135.6 billion rubles ($4.5 billion) this year, including 88.7 billion in additional revenues.

Putin said he generally agreed with the ministry’s proposals, adding however all decisions should be “economically balanced and socially justified.”

He stressed that all social programs will be carried out regardless. “Everything that has been pledged will be fulfilled,” Putin said.