MOSCOW. Feb 9 (Interfax-AVN) - The Moscow region government is planning to increase the pensions paid to parents of servicemen killed in trouble spots to RUB5,000 (USD175.4) a month, region governor Boris Gromov said on Monday.
"The federal law entitles the mother of a serviceman killed in Afghanistan to a pension of RUB500 (USD17.5) a month, but regional bonuses bring it up to RUB3,500 (USD122.8) a months. This is valid not only for those who lost their relatives in the Afghan war, but also for those whose children were killed in other conflicts, in particular, in Chechnya. The pension will soon be raised to RUB5,000. In addition, they are entitled to preferential rent and telephone rates," Gromov told Interfax- Military News Agency.
According to him, the region's support is extended beyond participants in wars and conflicts. "We have 65 categories of people entitled to benefits. This is a very long list. The state should not be reproached of cold-heartedness. It proceeds from its financial and economic capabilities. Our region does have such capabilities, and we provide help," he said.
"A lot has been done in the country lately to provide certain benefits to participants in local wars and conflicts," Gromov noted. In particular, an addition to the law on veterans took effect on January 1 this year. Under this document, participants in the Chechen conflict are considered war veterans. "They are now entitled to all benefits which are introduced for participants in international operations," the governor said.