site.btaInterior Ministry Sets Out Measures for Countering Contraband Trade, Reducing Administrative Burden

Interior Ministry Sets Out Measures for Countering Contraband Trade, Reducing Administrative Burden

Sofia, June 26 (BTA) - The Interior Ministry's leadership held a national meeting here on Monday, attended by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, during which measures were set out for countering contraband trade and reducing the administrative burden.

Borissov noted that some 700 people work at the Communications and Information Systems Directorate, while there are another 1,300 employees responsible for property. According to him, this staff is too big. He also demanded that the administrative burden on citizens is reduced.

The Prime Minister further noted that the Interior Ministry, the National Revenue Agency and the prosecuting magistracy have been working to counter the illegal trade in fuels for a month now. An analysis has revealed that the software used to send information about the quantities of sold fuel is being manipulated, he explained, adding that amendments to the Fuels Act aimed at countering illegal fuel trade are being prepared, which should be ready by the end of July.

Speaking at the meeting, Prosecutor General Sotir Tsatsarov criticized the methods used by the Economic Police to counter and investigate corruption and economic crimes, describing them as bordering a state of idleness.

According to Tsatsarov, the Interior Ministry's regional directorates could be divided into working and passive ones. This applies to both the State Agency for National Security's territorial directorates and the territorial prosecution offices. He said that the authorities in Sofia and the southern city of Plovdiv are working well, but in other places they do not and have become lethargic.

The Prosecutor General pointed out the lack of financing for the national institute of forensic science and criminology as being a problem.

He urged the Interior Ministry's Academy to introduce compulsory introductory training for newly appointed investigating police officers.