The new minimum subsistence level has given rise to criticism of Dagestani officials.

The minimum subsistence level in Dagestan for the next year will be 18,407 rubles per capita and 15,830 rubles for pensioners, the authorities decided. Residents of the republic, commenting on this decision on social media, criticized the established amounts as insufficient for paying for food, utilities, and medicines, and suggested that officials try to live on this money themselves.

According to the Dagestan government decree of November 9, the minimum subsistence level per capita in the republic for 2027 is set at 18,407 rubles. Compared to the current year, the figure has increased by 1,173 rubles, or 6.8%.

For the working-age population, the minimum subsistence level will be 20,064 rubles, for pensioners – 15,830 rubles, for children – 17,855 rubles, as reported by RIA "Dagestan" on November 10.

The post about the approval of the minimum subsistence level in Dagestan for 2027 was also published on November 10 by the Instagram* public hello_makhachkala. Residents of Dagestan criticized its size in the comments, pointing to the rising costs of food, utilities, and medicines. As of 09:50 MSK on November 11, this publication in the Instagram* public hello_makhachkala, which has about 207.4 thousand followers, received 137 likes and 65 comments.

Residents of Dagestan pointed out that the established minimum subsistence level is insufficient for covering everyday expenses. One of them provided an example of distributing a pension between utility payments, medicines, and food. "Simple logic. A pension of 21,500 rubles, for example. Of this, already in October, utility services increased by 18%. Five thousand for this winter. Three to four thousand for medicines. 10,000 is gone. Food prices in Dagestan are the highest. What should I give my grandchildren? How to live on 10,000 rubles a month? And how do families with children survive? Many families do not receive child benefits due to bureaucratic delays," wrote strannik22612.

"Maybe you should set the pensioners' amount to 50,000, how can one live on 16,000? Utilities, prices have risen, it's scary to enter a pharmacy or grocery store because of the prices. Hear us, ordinary people," urged zaira208156.

"Whoever set this amount should try to live on it; it won't even be enough for utilities," noted alievislam_19_65.

Other participants in the discussion criticized the officials who approved the minimum subsistence level, suggesting they try to live on the established amount themselves. "Did the authorities also decide to switch to this subsistence level? They make these laws, they should set an example and prove that one can live on this money," wrote 02_29_095..95.

"Let those who set such a minimum subsistence level receive such a salary," suggested 922_6521616.

"Officials should be given such salaries," pointed out alieva.g.a12.

Some commentators noted the difficult financial situation of pensioners and families with children, as well as the challenges in receiving social benefits. "Let them try to live on these amounts themselves; the food for a child already goes in one day, they want to stretch this for a month," wrote 1_m1lka.

"To receive this minimum subsistence level, one also needs to go through the entire spectrum of 'hunger games'," noted massi__blog.

"Why are the lowest salaries and pensions in Dagestan? How can pensioners live on 15,000 rubles?" exclaimed abdurakhmanalunkachev.

"Caucasian Knot" also reported that low income, unemployment, and rising living costs remain pressing issues in Dagestan. Residents of the republic have repeatedly complained about rising food and utility prices, pointing to the high share of everyday expenses in the family budget. For instance, on September 22 of this year, residents of Makhachkala complained about the upcoming increase in utility tariffs. According to the townspeople, the increase in the electricity tariff by 11.3% starting October 1 will significantly increase the financial burden on families and pensioners. One resident shared that in her family with two children, only her husband works, and the utility expenses, which were around seven thousand rubles a month, could reach 10 thousand rubles after the tariff increase.

On September 12, Makhachkala residents reported the rise in bread prices, which became an additional burden on the family budget. In particular, the price of a 500-gram loaf of white bread increased from 50 to 55 rubles, and black bread from 50 to 60 rubles. Residents from large families noted that even a small increase in food prices significantly raises daily expenses. An employee of one of the bakeries explained the price increase by the rising delivery costs due to higher fuel prices.

Source: https://www.kavkaz-uzel.eu/articles/428240