Former director of the National Security Agency (ANB) Dejan Vuksic in the middle of last month, he submitted a request for compensation upon termination of office, and apart from him, by mid-June, 32 other former officials of the previous Government did so, not including ministers.
Vukšić sent the request for compensation to the Government despite the fact that, according to the property register, at the end of last year, his family had about 300.000 euros in cash and accounts, and they also owned ten properties.
According to the documentation submitted by the Government to the Center for Civic Education (CEO) in response to a request for free access to information, during the past month a total of 16 officials requested compensation, and in this non-governmental organization they believe that this number will grow, as the already established practice of distribution of functions progresses. by depth”.
Former state secretaries in the Ministry of Health also requested compensation in the amount of the salary they received in the last month before its termination. Veljo Čađenović i Anka Vukićević, former State Secretary in the Ministry of Defense Svetomir Knezevic, former Deputy Secretary General of the Government Nikola Kandić, former state secretaries in the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Milica Kadovic i Damjan Ćulafić, who was appointed as the vice-president of Berana Municipality at yesterday's session of the local parliament.
The former state secretary in the Ministry of Public Administration also sought compensation Marina Banović, secretary of the MUP Vesna Brajović, state secretaries in the Ministry of Finance and Social Welfare Janko Odović i Branko Krvavac, as well as their colleagues from the Ministry of Justice Andrej Milović, Ministry of Capital Investments Marko Perunović i Zoran Radunovic, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management Nikolina Misnić and the Ministry of Economic Development Ivana Đurović.
Associate in programs at CGE, Vasilije Radulović for "Vijesti" he assessed that our citizens, despite the challenging economic situation, will continue to be an ATM for party and related clientelistic structures, because the number of officials who will demand compensation upon termination of office is still expected to grow.
"Citizens should know that when they find themselves in a position to use budgetary privileges, unfortunately, all parties, as well as some supposedly independent cadres, show the same approach, and that approach is not in favor of the citizens or the state of Montenegro, and it sends less of a message about concern for the public interest", believes Radulović.
He reminded that the CGO has been advocating for some time a change in the Law on Salaries of Public Sector Employees, according to which officials have the right to receive compensation for a year after the termination of their position in the amount of the salary they received in the last month before its termination.
"The absurdity of the existing legal solution is shown by the fact that the request for this type of compensation was also submitted by the former official Nikola Kandić, who during his short term of office managed to commit a criminal offense by misusing an official vehicle and for the same was sentenced to six months' probation." Radulović said.
He pointed out that the list of applicants includes individuals with excellent financial conditions, such as Vukšić, for whom, as he states, the amount of this compensation is minor compared to his assets.
"...But he duly took it, even though such an income is a dream category for many citizens in a state of material need," Radulović assessed.
He pointed out that the CGO has previously indicated that this right must be significantly reduced in time and in balance with the actual time spent in office.
"Because now in practice we also have the case that, for example, Andrej Milović, former secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Human and Minority Rights, will receive this compensation for one year, even though he spent three months in that position, that is, he will receive compensation four times longer than to work engagement. These three examples are not isolated, but they are illustrative," said Radulović.
CGO previously submitted an initiative to amend the law to all parliamentary clubs in the Assembly, and Radulović claims that it is interesting that "everyone remains silent" about it to this day.
Savings measures to start from officials
"Unfortunately, this is one of the indicators that shows how personal interests are ahead of the public, because it is undoubtedly an irresponsible waste of a huge amount of money from the citizens' budget. This type of compensation is a luxury and a big burden on the budget of Montenegro, therefore, an urgent amendment of Article 36 of the Law on Salaries of Employees in the Public Sector, which regulates this issue, is needed," said Radulović.
He pointed out that, if an economically difficult autumn awaits us, as announced by the decision makers, here is an example of where they should start with rationalization.
"Because public officials, current and former, have the responsibility to show austerity measures by their example, so that the most vulnerable layers of society can bear the effects of the crisis more easily," concluded Radulović.
About 245.000 euros in bank accounts
Dejan Vukšić reported to the Agency for Prevention of Corruption that at the end of last year he had around 245.000 euros in bank accounts and 40.000 in cash.
According to the property register, he generally received around 1.970 euros per month, and in December he received another 100 euros as a variable.
From legal services, until September of last year, he earned from 53,2 to less than 8.150 euros per month.
In addition to the houses of 25 and 180 square meters that he inherited, Vukšić, according to the record, also owns apartments of 24, 35, 40, 44 and 105 square meters that he acquired by purchase. His wife owns apartments of 28, 50 and 130 square meters. In addition, they are the owners of the land.
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