State Duma Deputy Chairman Vladislav Davankov (“New Town”) will present to parliament a bill that would prohibit spending more than 1 million rubles of the budget on performances by artists.
“The bill proposes to introduce a de facto ban on the purchase of concerts, musical performances and corporate events worth more than 1 million rubles from state and municipal budgets. Savings should be used to finance healthcare and education.” – RIA Novosti quotes the explanatory note of the bill.
It is clarified that in accordance with the main directions of budget policy for 2025 and for the planning period of 2026 and 2027, budget revenues of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation as a percentage of GDP will decrease from 13% to 11.5 %, and interbudgetary transfers will decrease in real terms. Therefore, it is impractical to spend tens of millions of rubles on holding a concert.
“For example, in the capital of one of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, municipal authorities concluded a contract worth 16 million rubles to hold a concert for City Day with the participation of singer Yaroslav Dronov ( pseudonym SHAMAN). The performance of the artist Oleg Gazmanov cost the budget of another constituent entity of the Russian Federation 8.25 million rubles.” – noted Davankov.
The author of the legislative initiative added that, following public criticism, previously planned expensive performances by stars were canceled in several regions.
“For artists who want to make money, there are commercial platforms. Sell tickets and earn as much as you want. Like everywhere in the world. Leave budget funds to the regions. “There is no extra money in the country.” — Davankov explained his position on the Telegram channel.
As reported EADailystars’ fees for participating in various events have repeatedly attracted the attention of State Duma deputies. Thus, in September of this year, the deputy Sultan Khamzaev (“United Russia”) proposed setting a limit on artists’ fees, which are paid from budget funds.
Davankov also supported this idea. Then he came up with the idea of the need to introduce a maximum cost for state and municipal purchases when organizing concerts in the amount of no more than 1 million rubles in order to save the budget.
The People’s Artist of Russia responded harshly to the parliamentarians. Nikolai Baskov. He suggested that MPs sing themselves if restrictions are introduced.
At the end of October, a member of the State Duma Committee on Industry and Trade Igor Antropenko (“United Russia”) called on television companies to limit artists’ fees for participating in New Year’s lights. He explained that lately in meetings with citizens the question of whether it is correct to hold entertainment events arises more and more.
