Federal Government transfers fraction of amount requested to deal with Siberian region's flood after effects

Irkutsk Oblast has received some 50 million rubles ($1,719,000) from the federal budget to repair damage caused by this year's spring floods, Interfax reported on 22 June. Damages from the flood have been estimated at 950 million rubles, which is the amount of money the oblast administration requested from the Federal Reserve Fund for Emergency-Restoration Work. In a letter to Emergency Situations Minister Sergei Shoigu, Irkutsk Governor Boris Govorin said that Irkutsk does not need massive interference from federal authorities to cope with the organization of reconstruction work as is the case in Sakha (Yakutia), but it does need additional financing. Meanwhile, on 22 June Govorin submitted signatures supporting his candidacy in the 29 July gubernatorial election. So far 10 candidates have been registered, including State Duma deputy (Agro- Industrial Group) Sergei Levchenko and Federation Council member Valentin Mezhevich. JAC
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