DUSHANBE, September 23, 2011, Asia-Plus – Russian nationals who served in Russian military units in Tajikistan from September to November 1992 and from February 1993 to December 1997 will be granted a veteran status, Russia’s news agency, Rosbalt, reports with reference to Ms. Natalia Yermakova, member of the State Duma (Russia’s lower chamber of parliament) Committee for International Affairs.

According to her, the State Duma has approved the bill on granting the veteran status to this category of Russian nationals in the second reading.

“The law was drafted by order of the President of the Russian Federation and it restores justice regarding Russian servicemen who were discharging their duty in Tajikistan during the period from September to November 1992 and from February 1993 to December 1997,” MP Yermakova was quoted as saying.

The law that will take effect on January 1, 2012 will apply to 23,520 people.  “After getting the veteran status, they may hope for social safeguards,” said the parliamentarian, “The federal budget for 2012 will earmark 719.1 million Russian rubles for these purposes.”