By adopting the Law on the Special Status of the Municipality of Pljevlja, this area has received a historic development opportunity, but also a clear obligation to fight for the funds that are due to them on that basis through concrete and ready-made projects.
This was said by the MP of Democratic Montenegro and the initiator of the adoption of the Law on the Special Status of the Municipality of Pljevlja. Nikola Rovčanin.
The law, which was adopted in 2025 and has been in effect since January 1, 2026, is the first in the history of Montenegrin parliamentarism to specifically refer to Pljevlja and introduces a special model of financial and development support for that city, modeled on the Law on the Royal Capital.
"This is the first law in the history of Montenegrin parliamentarism that specifically concerns Pljevlja. A law that would specifically regulate Pljevlja has been sought for a long time. Pljevlja deserves special treatment because for decades it has given a lot to Montenegro, but received nothing in return," said Rovčanin.
A key provision of the law stipulates that 60 percent of the funds that polluters from Pljevlja, primarily the Coal Mine and the Thermal Power Plant, pay into the Eco Fund must be returned through projects that will be implemented in the territory of that municipality. According to him, these are amounts in the millions, but this money cannot be redirected to current budget spending, but only to projects that raise environmental standards, improve infrastructure and create new jobs. He emphasized that the law imposes a responsibility on local and state authorities to prepare quality projects, because without ready plans, the funds will not be able to be withdrawn and used.
Rovčanin listed as priorities projects in the field of energy and environmental protection, the construction of solar and wind power plants, battery systems, improving municipal infrastructure and solving the long-standing problem of water supply. He particularly highlighted the Potpeć - Pliješ return pipeline project, previously estimated at around 8,5 million euros, as well as the water purification plant on Breznica, assessing that the implementation of these two projects would permanently solve the issue of water supply in the city.
He also pointed out the obligation to build a secondary district heating network, recalling that the Electric Power Company of Montenegro has implemented the first phase, while the state needs to complete the second and third, and the municipality needs to build a secondary network so that the system is functional at full capacity. According to him, the money exists, including funds from previous environmental taxes that have accumulated in the municipal budget for years.
The law, he said, provides the government with a legal basis to subsidize citizens for purchasing alternative forms of heating in periods of increased air pollution, in order to reduce the use of coal. This may include a full or partial subsidy, but with the principle that the costs for citizens are not higher than they were when using coal.
"We must take care of the ecology of our city," said Rovčanin, recalling that significant funds have been invested in the flue gas desulfurization system at the Pljevlja Thermal Power Plant.
One of the important provisions of the law, he adds, obliges the Ministry of Ecology to open a special office in Pljevlja within 120 days of its entry into force, which will provide expert assistance in the preparation and implementation of large projects.
Rovčanin points out that both businessmen and citizens with projects in the field of environmental protection and energy efficiency will be able to apply for Eco Fund funds through public calls.
"The law also contains a provision that obliges the Ministry of Education to plan the reconstruction of abandoned and collapsed rural schools in strategic documents, which could be repurposed for the needs of the local community, tourism or educational activities such as schools in nature," said Rovčanin.
Speaking about economic development, Rovčanin assessed that Pljevlja should also consider forming a free zone, which could attract investors and create new jobs through tax and customs relief and employment subsidies.
"I think that Pljevlja should have a free zone and that the Pljevlja Free Zone Company be formed, a suitable location found, and these funds used for the infrastructure equipment of the free zone. The free zone allows businessmen to come and do business in that area and will not have the obligation to pay taxes and customs duties on all the raw materials they produce or on the further use of the final products. Businessmen should have certain subsidies for their employees and in my opinion, that is the only way to create new value in Pljevlja," said Rovčanin.
He concluded that the law is now in force and that the phase of its full implementation is ahead, with the expectation that all institutions will responsibly approach their obligations, because, as he emphasized, the money collected on this basis must be returned to Pljevlja through concrete and sustainable projects.
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