The categories of participants in the state program for preferential lending expanded

The Supreme Council of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic adopted in two readings at once a package of legislations that amend the state program of preferential lending to defenders of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and Afghan soldiers who became disabled of I, II or III groups. Deputy Igor Buga, who heads the Pridnestrovian Association of Veterans of the War in Afghanistan, proposed to expand the category of participants in the state program and provide an opportunity to apply for soft loans not only to the disabled, but to all participants in the hostilities to protect the PMR and Afghan soldiers.

The reason for the development of the law-in-draft was the low percentage of implementation of the state program. The Supreme Council heard on May 24, in the course of the plenary session, the report of the Ministry of Social Protection of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic on the implementation of the state program in 2022. According to the plan, from 48 to 80 people could receive a preferential loan last year. However, only 8 citizens applied for loans. Not a single loan was issued from January to May 2023.

According to the author of the law-in-draft, about 60 people will be able to use the right to receive a preferential loan after expanding the categories of participants in the state program. The volume of funds allocated to CJSC "Pridnestrovian Savings Bank" and the volume of budget financing of the state program will remain unchanged. Deputy Andrei Safonov proposed to amend the Law of the PMR “On income tax from individuals”. According to the current norms, material benefits received from savings on interest on loans issued to participants in the hostilities to protect the PMR and Afghan soldiers who became disabled are not taxed. The law-in-draft proposed by the parliamentarian assumes that this rule will apply to all citizens who will become participants in the program after the adoption of the changes.

According to the data of the Unified State Social Insurance Fund of the PMR, the number of recipients of increases to the old-age pension as participants in the hostilities to protect the PMR was 1733 people and as participants in the hostilities in Afghanistan - 188 people in May 2023. The Supreme Council supported the package of legislative initiatives in two readings. The very name of the state program has also been changed. Taking into account the changes made, it will be called the "State Target Program" Preferential lending to citizens of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic who are participants in the hostilities to protect the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic and participants in the hostilities in Afghanistan in the period from April 1978 to February 15, 1989, who had not previously participated in concessional lending program" for the period 2021-2026".

The adopted legislations will come into force immediately after signing by the President of the Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic.

The state target program adopted by the Supreme Council for preferential lending to citizens who are participants in the hostilities to protect the PMR and participants in the hostilities in Afghanistan (April 1978 - February 15, 1989), who became disabled, has been in force since July 2021. Initially, preferential loans were issued only to participants in hostilities – disabled people of groups I and II. Then, changes were made to the state program, which provided the right to take a preferential loan to disabled people of group III of a general disease and vision. Those wishing to take a soft loan under this state program can contact the Ministry of Social Protection directly from 2022. It was necessary initially to apply to a public organization at the place of residence.

Loans under the state program of preferential lending are provided by the Pridnestrovian Savings Bank at 17% per annum: 13% is covered by the state and 4% is given by the borrower. Loans are issued for up to 3 years. The maximum loan amount is determined based on the solvency of the potential borrower, but cannot exceed 25 thousand rubles for those who are under 70 years old at the end of the loan agreement, and 15 thousand rubles for those whose age is from 70 to 75 years at the end of the loan agreement. The state program is designed until 2026.