MOSCOW, June 23 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian government will spend 120.6 billion rubles ($5 billion) on the development of the North Caucasus Republic of Chechnya over the next four years, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
The federal program for the social and economic development of Chechnya in 2008-2011 drafted by the government aims to create tens of thousands of jobs in the republic, boost industrial output 100% and create a resources base to develop local social and transport infrastructure, Putin said.
Chechnya, which saw two Kremlin-led military campaigns in the 1990s-early 2000s against separatist forces, needs funds to develop its infrastructure.
The premier said the new program differed considerably from the previous program implemented in the republic from 2002 and aimed at restoring the republic's war-ravaged infrastructure.
"Now we are switching to its [republic's] planned comprehensive development," Putin said.
