Funds for building Kolyma HPS cut by two bln roubles in 2010.

MAGADAN, January 20 (Itar-Tass) - Funds for building the
Ust-Srednekanskaya hydropower plant on the Kolyma River were cut by two billion roubles in 2010.

Earlier, the federal budget had provided 2,818 million roubles for
building the station, but following budget cuts last November, only 812
million roubles were left for the construction of the station, said
managing director of the Kolymaenergo Company Leonid Murin.
Plans had provided for putting the station into operation in 2012, but
this date can be shifted on for a later period. "We are interested in
commissioning the plant in the set time. This is connected with the start
of work at the large gold-field Natalkinskoye, which will bring the
regional economy to a higher level of development," Kolyma Governor
Nikolai Dudov commented on the situation.
In the meantime, the Russian Audit Chamber sent a letter to the
Russian government on inexpediency of cutting the funds, since this will
result in suspending the construction of the hydropower station and will
aggravate the social and economic situation in the region.
Now, 1,500 workers are engaged in building the power plant; around 600
people will have to be discharged if funds are cut. "Two-thirds of labour
force were temporarily suspended for the cold spell; only specialists in
assembling turbine equipment from St. Petersburg now work at the station,
as do assemblymen, erecting the building of the power house.
"We intend to move into the power plant next March and to start work
with a swing. I hope that there will be some clarity with funding in 2010
by that time," said managing director of the Kolymaenergo Company.

.Four gunmen killed in Dagestan in special operation.

MAKHACHKALA, January 20 (Itar-Tass) - Four gunmen were killed by
security officers in a special operation on the Kavkaz federal highway in
the Karabudakhkentsky district, Dagestan, Itar-Tass learnt on Wednesday at
the press service of the Dagestan branch of the Russian Federal Security
Service.
According to the press service, "an attempt was made to stop a Lada
car to check documents on Wednesday at 01.00 not far from the village of
Manaskent 30 kilometres away from Makhachkala". "The car did not stop,
while unidentified people opened fire from the motor vehicle on law
enforcers," the press service specified. All the four, including the
driver, were killed by return fire.
Security officers found a submachinegun, a pistol and ammunition
inside the car. One of gunmen was identified. He is Magomedzagir Vagabov,
the close aide of Magomedali Vagabov, the ringleader of the Gubdenskaya
terrorist gang, operating in the territory of several Dagestan districts
and in Makhachkala.
The killed gunman was on the federal Wanted List for several grave
crimes, including terror acts. There were no casualties among security
officers. Other killed gunmen are being identified.

.Fire put out at boarding house for the aged, no casualties.

KRASNOYARSK, January 20 (Itar-Tass) - A fire broke out at a boarding
house for the aged on Wednesday in the village of Khapcheranga,
Trans-Baikal Territory.
According to preliminary data, there were no casualties, Itar-Tass
learnt from press service chief of the Siberian regional centre of the
Ministry for Emergencies Olesya Kukuyeva.
According to the press service chief, the fire flared up at night. The
seat of fire is now localised. Fire fighters evacuated 108 people from the
house on fire.
Preliminary investigation established that the fire started at a
smoking room. Three fire engines are operating at the place of the
incident. Reasons for the incident are being investigated.
-0-bur


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