The results of the work of the State Control Committee in 2023 were summarised at a meeting of the board of the control agency. This meeting was chaired by the Head of the State Control Committee Vasily Gerasimov.
Over the past year, the state control bodies conducted of 498 inspections, 24 performance audits.
Emphasis was mainly placed on the proactive prevention of violations. To this end, 715 monitoring operations were carried out. Based on the results obtained, recommendations on correction of violations were sent to the audited entities.
Control over the fulfilment of the instructions of the Head of State, which affect all spheres of life in the country and the resolution of issues of concern to citizens, is one of the top priorities.
In 2023, the Committee's efforts were focused on ensuring economic security. It examined the situation in most of the key sectors of the economy and social sphere, such as the construction and forestry sectors, industry, agro-industrial, transport, road, healthcare and education sectors, as well as in a number of other sectors.
Identifying reserves, unjustified and irrational expenditures of public funds is a significant issue. Analyses of public procurement made it possible to achieve substantial savings in various sectors and areas. Implementation of certain state programmes and major investment projects, including those within the framework of import substitution and import independence, as well as issues of foreign economic activity (activities of commodity distribution networks, return of foreign currency proceeds by enterprises) were under constant control.
There was carried out a particular control in the consumer market, including prevention of unreasonable growth of prices for goods and medicines. When gross violations of the law were detected, decisions were taken to suspend the operation of trade facilities until the violations were eliminated.
The control measures made it possible to uncover a number of acute problems. The Head of State, the Government and local authorities have been informed of the findings. The committee worked out and forwarded concrete recommendations to improve the situation, most of which have been implemented, including through legislative changes. The measures have been taken to improve the situation in health care, housing and utilities, school meals, passenger transport, meat and dairy processing by eliminating unjustified intermediation and in other areas.
The Department of Financial Investigations focused on suppressing tax crimes, channels for financing extremist and terrorist activities, payment of salaries in envelopes, illegal circulation of cryptocurrencies, and combating corruption. 703 offences were detected, including 369 serious crimes.
The Department of Financial Monitoring detected suspicious financial transactions related to money laundering and financing of illegal activities. In 2023, almost 1.3 thousand information and analytical materials on these facts were sent to law enforcement and supervisory authorities of the Republic and financial intelligence units of foreign countries. The emphasis was placed on control over financial operations with cryptocurrencies, withdrawal of funds abroad, and financing of destructive forces. Work was also continued within the framework of international organisations (including EAG, FATF, etc.) on combating money laundering and financing of terrorism.
Considerable attention was dedicated to handling citizens' appeals. In 2023, the State Control Committee received 10,100 written and oral appeals. Every sixth appeal was resolved favourably. The practice of holding thematically related hotlines via the short number 191 of the State Control Committee and via the SCC's chat room.
Besides, during the meeting of the Board of the State Control Committee the areas of activity of the State Control Committee bodies in 2024 were outlined. The focus will be placed on quality assurance control in all economic sectors (quality of industrial products, food and non-food products) and social sphere (quality of all types of services to the population - from housing and communal services to banking services).