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A.P. Chekhov, 1890

Wash yourselves in money, veteran governor orders his tax collectors

By The Siberian Times reporter
21 November 2015

Learn to smell the scent of the rouble during your morning shower, demands the head of coal mining Kemerovo region Aman Tuleyev.

Tuleyev, aged 71, demanded that local officials in charge of tax collection, should take daily douches using soap scented with the fragrance of crisp rouble money. Picture: Gazeta Kemerova

He cut his political teeth in Soviet times, and more than a generation later remains an iconic figure in Russian politics, noted for his original  thinking. His latest scheme: soft-soap the taxman. In an era of grey men in suits, the most senior - by age - of Russia's regional governors, an ex-Communist, brings welcome colour and candour. 

This week an agitated Tuleyev, aged 71, demanded that local officials in charge of tax collection, who - to his mind  - are failing to bring in sufficient revenue to Kemerovo's coffers, should take daily douches using soap scented with the fragrance of crisp rouble money.

Soap with money scent

Soap with the scent of the rouble was made earlier this year in Suzdal. Picture: Mikhail Samoilov

The Soviet loyalist who stood as a candidate in Russian presidential elections, told his lacklustre cadres: 'When you take a shower, this soap's scent will remind you: Yes, it is necessary to collect taxes, to seek money. Perhaps it will help.'

Tuleyev demanded that on a daily basis his newly-fragrant officials should consider how to fill the region's budget. He bluntly reminded them: 'The main source of income of any state is tax.'

Coal production in Kemerovo region

'We will pay for losing weight - in coal.' Picture: Vadim Makhorov/@dedmaxopka

It's not his first headline grabbing scheme to have caught public attention, even this month. He promised Siberian slimmers free coal in return for losing weight, with the plan being piloted on a local TV show. 

'We will pay for losing weight - in coal,' he promised. 'Let's not even give out grammes, but tonnes - because it works out cheaper for the budget.' These measures will 'make people slimmer and healthier and more useful for the country'. Kemerovo produces 59 percent of Russia's coal output.

Comments (1)

Mr Tuleyev needs to set a good example, i.e. by showing publicly his own tax returns on a billboard at the local Post Office, No better example than showing action, words are meaningless .
Great beautiful Siberian City is Kemerovo must be the best in the Siberia .
Mr P F Travers, Perth
21/11/2015 12:20
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