Enterprises are responsible for the proper maintenance of agricultural equipment, Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko said after hearing a report on fire safety and maintenance of agricultural equipment, BelTA has learned.

The president noted that the goal of the meeting is to review the progress in the implementation of the instructions given to various agencies.

“According to the information that I have received, no proper work on maintenance of the machine and tractor fleet has been organized yet,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The head of state explained why he pays close attention to these issues.

“If collective enterprises and others working in agriculture were buying tractors, trucks and trailers for their own money, then they would have the right to criticize me, even say that it were not my business and ask not to intervene. But when agricultural enterprises of all types of ownership ask for subsidies, grants and loans to acquire the equipment then they should show us how they maintain this equipment,” the president said.

The participants of the meeting also discussed fire safety issues. According to Alexander Lukashenko, the situation in the country is far from being ideal. Over 160 fires have damaged the country's organizations since the start of the year. “I am not talking about the housing stock where the number of fires has nearly reached 1,600 fires. God save us from something similar to the recent tragedy in Kemerovo. You know what my requirements are. Every facility must be checked. All the failures must be rectified,” the president said.

Alexander Lukashenko asked about the current fire safety measures in the country, including the agricultural sector, maintenance of farm equipment and the responsibility of officials for incidents of mismanagement.