MOSCOW. Dec 2 (Interfax-AVN) - The number of servicemen's complaints for non-payment of money for participation in combat has grown by 17 percent in comparison with 2001, a source in the administration of the State Duma lower house of parliament told Interfax-Military News Agency on Monday.
"According to data provided by the Main Military Prosecutor's Office, more than 40,500 applications related to non- payment of bonuses to servicemen taking part in the anti- terrorist operation in the North Caucasus were considered in the first half of 2002," the source said.
"The figure is 17 percent higher than that of the same period of 2001, and the growth in the North Caucasus military district is much more noticeable and amounting to 55 percent," he stressed.
According to the source, more than 1,000 servicemen have received a total of over RUB51m (USD1.6m) as a result of taken measures.
Specialists believe that violations in payment of bonuses are primarily explained by errors of military officials, late compiling and submission of documents to financial bodies and lack of proper registration of persons involved in combat.
Responsible bodies have reported on the matter twice to Chief-of-Staff and First Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Kvashnin.