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RIA "OREANDA"

Yabloko faction advocates abolition of ban on sale of agricultural lands in Russia

May 16, 2002

Moscow. During the voting on May 16, the Yabloko faction of the Russian Federation State Duma will support two out of seven draft laws "On the turnover of agricultural lands" drafted by the government and SPS faction deputies (the Union of Right-WingForces). Yabloko considers it a top priority to protect the title of citizens to their plots of land  from official dictatorship. The faction will support the two aforementioned laws as they declare abolition of an anti-constitutional ban on the sale of agricultural lands.

 Supporting at the first reading the laws proposed by the government and the SPS faction, Yabloko representatives observe that neither bill will drastically change the situation regarding the sale of agricultural lands. According to Yabloko deputy leader Sergey Ivanenko, the variant suggested by the government simply legalizes the existing state of affairs: In fact. Yabloko perceives many drawbacks in the draft laws that the State Duma is to consider in three readings and will take pains to eliminate them. "We are already preparing amendments for the second reading," noted  Ivanenko.

 The principal point of the amendments is liberalization. There are many administrative barriers in the government's draft, which prevent citizens from free possession of land.

 The Yabloko faction insists on the introduction of uniform rules for sale of agricultural lands on the territory of the Russian Federation, as differentiation contradicts the provisions of the RF Constitution for the protection of citizens' rights, the single market, competition and free economic activities.

 Yabloko objects to the provision of pre-emptive purchase rights to plots of land to the subjects  of the Russian Federation. In fact, this would give administrative bodies the right to be co-owners of all private agricultural property. Such a scheme is bound to promote corruption and infringe upon the rights of land owners, increase transaction costs and diminish the security of rights for prospective purchasers.

 Yabloko insists on establishing civilized standards for the conversion of land shares into plots of land. This procedure must be specified by the law and ensure protection of citizens from wanton decisions of local authorities and management of agricultural operators.

 Yabloko has consistently advocated the distribution of state and municipal lands on a competitiive basis.

 Yabloko will support for the draft law in the second reading if the State Duma adopts the amendments.

See also:

Land Reform

The Yabloko faction: anti-constitutional ban on transactions with agricultural land in Russia should be abolished Press Release, May 16, 2002

RIA "OREANDA", May 16, 2002

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