MOSCOW, January 30 (RAPSI) – A social issue subgroup of the working group on drafting proposals for the Constitution amendment discusses suggestions to specify the regularity of pension indexation, the Civic Chamber’s secretary Lydia Mikheyeva told journalists on Thursday.

The working group continues discussions on preparation of proposals for the adjustment of the Constitution. As part of the work, five focus area have been drawn up, among them are social issues including science and culture, international law, federal bodies of legislative and executive power, judiciary and prosecution, single public authority and local governance. The work of subgroup consists of discussions and specific proposals generation.

Most discussions in the social issue subgroup concern minimum wage and pension indexation, according to Mikheyeva. A bill submitted to the State Duma envisages regular indexation of pensions. However, certain group members propose “annual indexation” or “on a quarterly basis” instead of the “regular” one, the Civic Chamber’s official said. According to Mikheyeva, all positions will be fixed and then there will be voting.

On January 23, the State Duma passed a bill on amendments to the Russian Constitution in the first reading.

President Vladimir Putin brought the bill before the parliament on January 20. He clarified the essence of the amendments proposed to the Constitution at a meeting with members of a working group established to elaborate the respective suggestions on January 16.

According to the President, the amendments are aimed to further the development of Russia as a social welfare state governed by the rule of law, as well as to achieve higher efficiency of its national institutions, strengthen the role played by its civil society, political parties, and Russia’s regions in working out most important decisions concerning the development of the state.

Vladimir Putin stated that Russia was to remain a Presidential republic, but a more open one, where the significance of its Parliament was to grow, whereas interrelations of lawmakers with the government were to be strengthened.

The President was to retain serious powers to dismiss from their posts those violating the law and those failing to be scrupulous about their duties on the basis of loss of trust, Putin said.

The Head of the State believes that these powers were imperative due to the complex state structure of Russia, its multi-confessional and multi-ethnic nature, and vast territory.

The working group on preparation of proposals concerning amendments to the Constitution was approved by the President on January 15. Among its members are representatives of the Federation Council, State Duma and other public figures.