Interfax: Putin rules out more taxes on ordinary citizens to resolve business problems

NOVO-OGARYOVO. Dec 4 (Interfax) – President Vladimir Putin ruled out the idea of boosting the tax burden on ordinary citizens in order to resolve problems facing entrepreneurs.

The president criticized a proposal to collect additional budget funds to create infrastructure for housing construction, for example, by introducing an excise tax on soda pop.

“Don’t do that. This means that a portion of the business issues will be a priori transferred to the shoulders of consumers, ordinary citizens. What kind of a source is that?” Putin said.

“It would be better to think about reducing bureaucracy and the number of bribes needed to resolve issues concerning receipt of construction permits, not about how to further burden citizens when they drink a Coca-Cola or other soda. Maybe they are not the most useful beverages. Citizens ought to decide for themselves whether it’s good or bad, whether they want to drink it or not, buy it for their kids or not,” Putin said.

“So I ask that this not be done. In any case, not in this auditorium and not in connection with our discussion of systemic issues for improving the business climate,” Putin said.