Russian government budgets $45 bln for anti-crisis work in 2009

The Russian government will allocate 1.5 trillion rubles ($45 billion) for anti-crisis measures this year, the prime minister said on Monday. Vladimir Putin said that would ensure the implementation of all social programs.

MOSCOW, March 16 (RIA Novosti) - The Russian government will allocate 1.5 trillion rubles ($45 billion) for anti-crisis measures this year, the prime minister said on Monday.

Vladimir Putin said that would ensure the implementation of all social programs.

He added that of the 1.5 trillion rubles, 379 billion would be transferred to the Pension Fund and extra-budgetary funds, 150 billion rubles would be provided to the provinces, and another 150 billion would be extended in loans.

Some 35 billion rubles will be spent on housing programs for WWII veterans.

The prime minister said that on top of that, 100 billion rubles was reserved for contingencies.