Economy minister ready to hear out your anti-crisis program for 10 minutes
The European Radio for Belarus has attempted to get an appointment with high-ranking officials but to no avail. However, appointments can theoretically be arranged even on the phone. Back in April, the Ministry of Economy introduced amendments to the Procedures of Processing Requests from Citizens and Legal Entities. Under the amendments, it is possible to get an oppointment with a minister by simply dialing the telephone number of the reception or his assistant. The European Radio for Belarus has explored if it is so easy indeed.
We decided to pick the questions for ministers which are important for the majority of Belarusians. For instance, we wanted to get an appointment with finance minister Andrei Kharkavets in order to find out when Belarusians will be able to receive their rouble deposits lost after the break-uo of the Soviet Union.
Andrei Kharkavets's reception assured Euroradio that it was possiblt to get an appointment without a problem.
Finance ministry: “He receives on the first Wednesday of every month or June 3. I would ask you to call three days before, and we will book your appointment then”.
But, when having learned our question, the secretary advised not to waste time.
Finance ministry: “In this situation, it is not worth to take time from the minister. You can write a request to the minister or the ministry. But you definitely understand the currenct financial situation… So far, this question remains open. Compensations are not being paid. There no such hope yet”.
The economy ministry was the next one. Euroradio wanted to meet with minister Mikalai Zaichannka in order to offer our proposals on how Belarus can overcome the economic crisis.
Mikalai Zaichanka's aide said that the minister was on holidays and would be back at work in one week. So, an appointment could be booked next month. He immediately asked what question we wanted to discussed and was surprised with the answer.
Aide: “We have a lot of such programs! We have our own program from the government. If you wish to present yours, send it to our address. Perhaps, they would find something interesting there”.
But he also added that the minister is a very busy man with a very busy schedule. You will have just 10 minutes for an appointment. Will you be able to present your program within this time? He can give your proposals to experts and hear their views. Possibly, something could be used. You know, theoretically it is one thing, but it is a different thing in practice.
It appears that despite new procedures, you have to pass through a lot of stairs on the beaurocratic ladder in order to reach a minister.
We decided to pick the questions for ministers which are important for the majority of Belarusians. For instance, we wanted to get an appointment with finance minister Andrei Kharkavets in order to find out when Belarusians will be able to receive their rouble deposits lost after the break-uo of the Soviet Union.
Andrei Kharkavets's reception assured Euroradio that it was possiblt to get an appointment without a problem.
Finance ministry: “He receives on the first Wednesday of every month or June 3. I would ask you to call three days before, and we will book your appointment then”.
But, when having learned our question, the secretary advised not to waste time.
Finance ministry: “In this situation, it is not worth to take time from the minister. You can write a request to the minister or the ministry. But you definitely understand the currenct financial situation… So far, this question remains open. Compensations are not being paid. There no such hope yet”.
The economy ministry was the next one. Euroradio wanted to meet with minister Mikalai Zaichannka in order to offer our proposals on how Belarus can overcome the economic crisis.
Mikalai Zaichanka's aide said that the minister was on holidays and would be back at work in one week. So, an appointment could be booked next month. He immediately asked what question we wanted to discussed and was surprised with the answer.
Aide: “We have a lot of such programs! We have our own program from the government. If you wish to present yours, send it to our address. Perhaps, they would find something interesting there”.
But he also added that the minister is a very busy man with a very busy schedule. You will have just 10 minutes for an appointment. Will you be able to present your program within this time? He can give your proposals to experts and hear their views. Possibly, something could be used. You know, theoretically it is one thing, but it is a different thing in practice.
It appears that despite new procedures, you have to pass through a lot of stairs on the beaurocratic ladder in order to reach a minister.
