On July 27, 2010, the Federal Law "On the organization of the provision of state and municipal services" was adopted, which for the first time reflected the initiative to introduce a universal electronic card (UEC). Now this topic is becoming more and more relevant, although the opinions of society about the possible introduction of a new technology are far from uniform.
On July 27, 2010, the Federal Law "On the organization of the provision of state and municipal services" was adopted, which for the first time reflected the initiative to introduce a universal electronic card (UEC). Now this topic is becoming more and more relevant, although the opinions of society about the possible introduction of a new technology are far from uniform.
UEC is a plastic card that combines a passport, a compulsory health insurance policy, an insurance certificate of compulsory pension insurance and a bank payment card. In addition to basic information, the card contains additional applications: with its help it will be possible to pay taxes, make payments for utilities, pay off a fine, etc. Obtaining the first such card will be free, but you will have to pay for the reissue, but not more than 300 rubles. The cards will be issued for all Russian citizens who have reached the age of 14, however, the use of the UEC is strictly voluntary, and its absence will not become a reason for, for example, refusing to provide medical care. It is supposed to provide all citizens with cards by 2017. The UEC will be valid for 5 years.
It would seem that the card is convenient and easy to use, but its introduction caused mistrust, fear and the threat of deception among some citizens. We will learn about how the Russians accepted the innovation and how their attitude to the implementation of the UEC changed by analyzing public opinion.
2011. After the adoption of the Federal Law "On the organization and provision of public services", on March 5, 2011, the Public Forum "Universal electronic card - a threat to the family, society and the state" was held in Moscow. About 1200 residents of Moscow and regions of Russia got together to discuss the prospects of the upcoming introduction in the capital of the UEC. In their speeches, the Forum participants noted that the introduction of the UEC violates the constitutional rights of citizens of Russia, fundamentally changes the legal relationship between a citizen and the state, transforming the powers and responsibilities of authorities into commercial activities to provide paid services, which is illegal and poses a threat to the family, society and Russian statehood. All forum participants opposed the creation of the UEC in Russia. Following the discussion, it was proposed to use 170 billion rubles, intended for the introduction of the UEC, for social programs to protect low-income families, provide affordable education, create new jobs and build housing for young and large families.
year 2012. In April, the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade conducted a survey of Russian citizens in order to find out their sentiments regarding the introduction of the UEC. The study was conducted in eight federal districts of Russia; more than one and a half thousand people aged 18 to 69 took part in it. According to the poll results, 43% of Russians are not inspired by the idea of the UEC: 17% are negative about the innovation, and 26% are neutral. 57% of respondents are positive. Citizens under the age of 35 and an audience with an income of at least an average (at least 20 thousand dollars per family per year) reacted most favorably of all to the possibility of innovation.
year 2013. On the initiative of NAFI in February of this year, an all-Russian survey was conducted among Russians in order to find out the degree of awareness about the introduction of the UEC. The survey involved 1,600 people from 140 settlements in 42 regions of Russia. The survey results showed the following:
- almost 70% of the respondents know that since 2013 the UEC card has begun to operate in our country, but only 14% of the population clearly understand the features of the innovation;
- 55% of the respondents are informed about this initiative so far only in general terms;
- 53% approve the appearance of a new UEC card;
- 35% adhere to the opposite point of view;
- 12% of the population found it difficult to evaluate the innovation, which is most likely due to insufficient awareness of the UEC;
- while 47% of Russians are ready to receive UEC and use it;
- 43% of the respondents would prefer to use, as before, the documents separately;
- found it difficult to assess 10% of Russians.
The opinions of officials about the introduction of the UEC in Russia are also different. For example, the Minister of Communications and Mass Media of Russia Nikolai Nikiforov believes that UEC is expensive, especially for regional budgets. In particular, Tatarstan, one of the leaders in issuing UEC, estimated the project costs at 725 million rubles. “No compensation is provided from the federal budget,” reminds Mr. Nikiforov.
The president of VTB24 Bank Mikhail Zadornov also opposed UEC, who believes that it is not worth mixing banking services and personal data from a passport into one card.
The head of Sberbank German Gref supported the idea of introducing UEC. According to him, the UEC will become an instrument in the fight against corruption and bribery. “We believe that after the introduction of this card, a huge number of officials will become simply unnecessary,” he said. Thus, in theory, the UEC should also save Russians from endless queues in various departments. In addition, according to the then President Dmitry Medvedev at a meeting of the Commission for the Modernization and Technological Development of the Russian Economy in 2011, the card should become a universal financial instrument, "and not some home-grown product that has not received recognition in other countries." “Moreover, after the introduction of such cards into circulation,” added Mr. Medvedev. "Ordinary people will feel more protected by the state."
Speaking about the minuses and pluses of the UEC implementation, it should be noted that the attitude to the card can change in the process of introducing innovations and raising the awareness of citizens. Perhaps in the near future even the most ardent opponents of the UEC will be able to appreciate the convenience and ease of use. As they say, wait and see.
