Andrey Kolesnikov on what Magadan governor Sergey Nosov came to Vladimir Putin with

On June 6, Governor of the Magadan Region Sergei Nosov met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Special Correspondent “Kommersant” Andrey Kolesnikov I am surprised that the governor, following the results of the conversation, did not receive unambiguous approval about what he went for.

Vladimir Putin invited Sergei Nosov to start a conversation with what any conversation should start with: with investments, and not just what he offered, but somehow strangely asked, as if fearing that he would refuse him: about anything, they say, Vladimir Vladimirovich , there are no taboo topics, but not about investments, thank you.

“This year alone, in the development of gold mining, we are launching two gold recovery factories for a total of 10 tons,” the governor of the Magadan Region explained with great readiness. “We are actually growing by 20% in terms of volume and, as they say, we will compete for the first place in the total gold production, although today we occupy the first place only in alluvial gold.

And all the same, though loose, it sounds like symphonic music. Of course, placer, but what else? This is gold. I want to scatter it. In silence. Placers.

“We are planning investments, this year we are also launching a very interesting fish oil processing complex,” the governor added.

So they say in Kolyma: “fish oil”, not fish oil. Fish – for children with a spoon. And for the gloomy Magadan industry, of course, fish.

And then the governor made a very serious confession.

— Moreover, in a deeper processing, we are entering rTG, a product that is already in demand on the world market. All products are in principle nominated for export, joint ventures, modern technologies! We managed to do it – the work that was carried out was not done in vain, we managed to get modern technologies on many issues! Sergey Nosov admitted.

It’s nice to deal with the Far East. These are harsh, but also straightforward people with big hearts and beautiful courageous faces.

There, on the mainland, someone, for example, hides his terrible anxiety that he will never get anything from the West again – neither modern machine tools, or something, nor spare parts for them. And in the Far East, people know how to honestly rejoice that they managed to get at least something. Yes, there will never be anything else, but something has already been done!

— For example, investments in the social sphere and in agriculture! – Sergei Nosov said delightedly. – The sanatorium “Talaya” was famous in the Far East … Back in the Soviet Union, it was built on those hot springs that the ancient Japanese, they say, visited there. Restored today! Private entrepreneur bought and restored! We are finishing this project this year. The most important thing is that at the hot springs in suitable heat, four plus managed to install Dutch greenhouses!

Yes, well done! And then there would be Chinese. It was just luck.

“Today we even grow strawberries in these greenhouses,” the governor did not hide. “Not only tomatoes and cucumbers!” This is very important for us, for the people of Kolyma! Especially greens, because here we are lagging behind in consumption, and its importation is quite expensive. Even more expensive than meat.

Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin was interested not only in the successes and simple human luck of the people living in Kolyma.

– Look, you have a level of wages… – He made it clear that it is high. – There is never a lot of money, but nevertheless it is higher than the national average! True, the prices are higher, this is understandable, but still. And the exodus continues!

– In my opinion, the reason is as follows. Firstly, we have high wages – this is due to shift workers and seasonal workers. Gold mining industries… They earn over 300 thousand per season! Or skilled workers in gold extraction factories! Operators of aggregates and machines earn a lot, – Sergey Nosov confirmed. – But they take away all this money from Magadan, from the Magadan region.

It seemed that this problem was always there, but new and only at first glance optimistic circumstances arose:

– You know, due to the fact that air tickets to the Far East have become quite affordable, not only guests and tourists travel or Far Easterners can travel to the central regions of the country, but it is also becoming quite profitable today, or it has already become, for gold mining companies by plane back and forth, let’s say , to carry a watch, to carry people.

And once it was thought that it was better for you to come to us.

“And that’s why people have actually already chosen Kolyma with one foot — this is a place of work,” the governor insisted, “and what we are doing today, or programs that we are implementing on your behalf as part of national projects, investment programs in the social sphere we create the conditions for…

Sergey Nosov thought for a moment and suddenly admitted:

– The main decision is still made by women, wives.

It was a confession of a strong man, and again sincere.

– If they decide to move or consider it possible … – Sergei Nosov sighed, and it would be fair to add: well, or at least they deign. – To my husband’s place of work … We will find work for women here too: this is in the field of education , health care and so on! And today the conditions for living are changing… This will allow us to create conditions, first of all, for a comfortable and high-quality life in Kolyma!

No, after all, it looks like you’d better come to us.

Meanwhile, there were frankly positive moments in his stories.

“Today we have the lowest level of poverty in the Russian Federation,” the governor said.

They actually sit on gold, albeit placer.

“We have students of special technical schools, technical schools, lyceums, and so on, a scholarship of 22–23 thousand, taking into account the living wage,” the governor surprised. guys, not only from Kolyma, but also from neighboring regions!.. On the whole, once again, the comprehensive program gave a positive result in terms of the level of poverty… We have it below, let’s say, planned.

It just sounded cynical. The meaning is acceptable.

Well, about what caused this meeting.

“Almost five years ago,” the governor said, “on your instructions, I headed Kolyma, and after being elected to this position, having received the support of the population, I carried out the assigned tasks. We managed to do something, there is an understanding of what to do next… You know, Vladimir Vladimirovich, the tradition of my family was the following: if the head of state approves and the people support, then you can work.

Strange: for example, I almost believed that the main decisions, according to Sergei Nosov, are made by wives. But it turns out that this is not the case in his own family. In his family, all major decisions are made by Vladimir Putin. But the people are not silent either.

– If, dear Vladimir Vladimirovich, you approve that in September, with the support of the population of Kolyma, I would continue to carry out your instructions and implement your programs, I am ready to proceed with these tasks further! Finally, the governor said.

Every governor who comes to Mr. Putin in recent weeks conveys the same idea to him in his own way and as he knows how, and it is not for us to judge them. They arrange it the way they can. The main thing is that the issue is resolved. And he’s already decided. Otherwise, what would they be doing at that table?

“As for approval, there are no questions here,” the president nodded. “But still, the most important thing is people’s support. Therefore, I think that, despite the fact that a lot has been done and, as you rightly said, even more will need to be done, after all, elections are elections (That is, surprises are possible, or what? Something we did not understand.— A.K.), and I would recommend that you work directly with people and listen to people, what they would expect from you, what they would like as a result of your work.

Well, where does this cruelty come from? Once – and now everything is not so clear (Although one can still consider that the blessing has been received: “There are no questions.” And everything else is curtsy towards free elections.— A.K.). In an empty place, after all, a man almost stumbled.

Or still stumbled.