The creation of the Ministry of Veterans Affairs can contribute to a systematic and integrated solution to the problems of the military. However, overregulation and bureaucracy, traditional in our state, can turn the new agency into another bureaucratic monster, which will “absorb” budget funds.
This was stated by the MP from UKROP Iryna Konstankevych on the air of the parliamentary TV channel “Rada”.
“There is a risk that the officials of the ministry will only use public funds, and the effect of their work will be slight. This makes me perceive critically the idea of creating a new agency,” stressed the parliamentarian.
According to Iryna Konstankevych, the legislation should provide for a system of control over the use of funds allocated to the ministry. In addition, responsible, trusted people should take top positions in the governmental body.
The MP noted that the creation of the Ministry will not solve all the problems of veterans. To do this, it is necessary to change the attitude of society towards such categories of citizens as a whole. As an example the MP gave the United States of America, where there is a real cult of the military who took part in hostilities. The state cares not only about the financial support – veterans have a great authority among the citizens, the monuments and memorials are raised in their honor.
According to Iryna Konstankevych, on February 27 the Verkhovna Rada made the first steps in this direction by adopting a package of laws on the social protection of the military.
“We gave proper respect to the servicemen and combatants who performed their patriotic duty in the east of Ukraine,” noted the MP.
It is to be recalled, the MPs from UKROP sent an appeal to the Prime Minister demanding immediate recalculation of pensions to the military pensioners from January 1, 2018, as well as to the pensioners of the internal affairs agencies – from 1 January 2016.
