In Chechnya, over 63,000 families received maternity capital certificates

The Chechen Office of the Russian Pension Fund has already issued 63,412 maternity capital certificates. However, many local certificate owners say that they prefer selling them to expand the possibilities of using state funds for the needs of their families.

Let us remind you that first maternity (family) capital certificates were issued in Chechnya in March 2007. The funds may be used in three main areas: improving housing conditions, education of the child or for forming the state-funded part of women's pensions.

"In our republic the holders of certificates on maternity capital can receive, regardless of the time of birth or adoption of the second child, a lump sum of 12,000 roubles," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told at the local Pension Fund.

In 2010, the size of the maternity capital is 343,378 roubles. 63,412 families from Chechnya have already received them.

Meanwhile, many owners of certificates in Chechnya prefer to sell them. On the average, a maternity capital certificate may be sold here for 100,000 roubles. However, as noted by some locals, in case of certain links, a certificate may be sold a bit more expensive.

Zara D., a woman from Grozny, said that in the district capital of Shali there is a special store, where one can buy goods instead of a maternity certificate. "But prices there are just unbelievable. An average-sized TV costs 120,000 roubles, whereas it can be easily bought for 40-50 thousand roubles in stores of Grozny," said the woman and noted that despite high prices there are those who buy home appliances and other things there.

According to the head of a local NGO, who preferred to remain anonymous, given the situation in the Chechen Republic, the federal and local authorities could create conditions for some broader use of maternity capital.

"Certificates could be used, for example, for opening one's own business, or for buying land for future construction. Obviously, solving these issues by non-cash payments won't be possible; therefore, it's necessary to arrange a possibility of receiving cash after presenting a package of necessary documents," said the source.

Let us note here that this July Alexander Khloponin, Plenipotentiary of Russian President in the North-Caucasian federal District (NCFD), stated facts of selling maternity capital certificates in the NCFD and offered regional authorities to develop appropriate social programs.