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President Putin reminded the audience that the meeting was being held on the International Day of Disabled Persons, December 3rd, and drew the government members’ attention to the difficulties experienced by the 10 million people with disabilities in Russia.

Mr Putin emphasised that government policy should be aimed at mainstreaming people with disabilities and helping their social adaptation.

The President instructed the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade to draft a bill on introducing preferential distribution of state orders to companies which employ people with disabilities. He also asked Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Khristenko and the head of the State Committee for Construction, Housing and Municipal Economy to ensure an early development of construction standards for wheelchair-accessible residential buildings.

The President also discussed military issues with the Cabinet. He said that military expenditures should have priority in next year’s federal budget. It is all the more important as a very ambitious army reform programme has been approved, he said.