The meeting of interdepartmental committee devoted to relocating the residents of the village of Muslyumovo (Kunashakskiy District, Chelyabinsk Region) located near contaminated River Techa took place on October 11, 2006.

The meeting was chaired by First Deputy Governor Vladimir Dyatlov and attended by Igor Konyshev, Counselor to Head of Federal Atomic Power Agency. Mr Konyshev says the governmental provision on financing relocating (600m RUR will be received by Mayak Production Association for them to compensate the villagers for the loss of dwellings situated in the contaminated area) will be signed at the end of October. Chelyabinsk Region Government will provide another 450m.

The money-distribution mechanism allows for two options the villagers can choose between. The first option provides 1m RUR compensation for each house, with the villagers later buying a place where they like. Should they prefer to move to the nearest village, they will have to sign an agreement with the managing company, that will receive the money and put up new houses for them. In whichever case, it is obligatory for the residents to give their old houses away to the municipal council so that the latter can then demolish them.

There are 741 houses in Muslyumovo altogether, and over 280 families have agreed to move to the neighboring district so far. The new village will have everything people need in terms of kindergartens, schools, hospitals, and shops, as well as gas, electricity, water supply, and roads.

The meeting resulted in the approval of the plan aimed at solving the environmental challenges connected with the River Techa and the social issues connected with the village of Muslymovo. This plan now has to be approved by the Governor Petr Sumin and Head of Federal Atomic Power Agency Sergey Kirienko.