Lukashenko: saving on lighting = pensions

President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko stated that reducing street lighting operation by even 10–15 minutes per year allows significant savings, equivalent, in his assessment, to constructing agricultural complex facilities or increasing pensions. He emphasized that as of February 1, following the signing of a decree, pension payments have been raised by 10%. The president's assessment implies that annual savings from lighting are nearly equivalent to the amount of the new pension payments. Lukashenko also commented on remarks by Minsk City Executive Committee Chairman Vladimir Kukharev, who, in their correspondence, noted the short duration of light shutdowns. The president stated that 'ten minutes' of savings could be compared to increased pension payments.

Context

The head of state, in an interview, conducted a comparative analysis of expenditures on urban infrastructure and social policy.