Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov held a meeting in the Digital Office of the Government on the implementation of the instructions given by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev since the beginning of this year, the Press Service of the Head of Government reports.

Prices of socially important food products increased most in the capital by 1.5%, Akmola region - 1.4%, Aktobe region - 1.1% and Zhambyl region - 1%.

The Head of Government criticized the work of akimats of these regions, as well as the Ministry of Agriculture to provide the population with socially important food products at affordable prices.

"Akims and the Ministry of Agriculture have not formed a minimum amount of statutory funds; they have not allocated sufficient funds under the "revolving scheme", have weak control over trade surcharges. In fact, the work to curb the rise in prices of socially important food products is neglected. Your task is to provide our population with basic necessities at affordable prices," Alikhan Smailov emphasized.

The Prime Minister instructed the central government agencies and akimats to tighten control over the prices of each type of food, ensure the necessary volumes in the stabilization funds and ensure the allocation of additional funding for the "revolving scheme".

"You strengthen the work of regional commissions to investigate pricing chains and monitor compliance by retail facilities with the permissible size of trade allowance," the Head of the Cabinet of Ministers said.

In order to reduce youth unemployment, the Head of Government instructed the Ministry of Labor, together with the Ministries of National Economy and Finance to increase the duration of participation and the amount of pay for such projects as "Youth Practice" and "First Workplace".

Thus, the amount of remuneration for these projects is planned to be increased from 20-25 MCIs to 30 MCIs.

The terms of the "Youth Practice" will be increased from 6 to 12 months, and the "First Workplace" - from 12 to 18 months.

"The issues of training, career guidance and employment of young people require increased attention. The corresponding items will be included in the Government's 2022 Action Program," Alikhan Smailov noted.