Servicemen contracted before 1998 must get housing by 2010 - Putin

MOSCOW. Nov 16 (Interfax-AVN) - All servicemen who signed contracts before January 1, 1998, must receive housing before 2010, President Vladimir Putin said at a Thursday meeting with armed forces commanders.

"Mortgage mechanisms will be applicable to servicemen, who sign contracts at present. I hope that these mechanisms will be used effectively," he said.

Putin also announced that servicemen's pay will be increased by 50% in real terms by 2008.