A scandal has erupted in the Republic of Mordovia around a statement by State Assembly deputy Sergei Vdovin, who proposed an unusual way to solve the problem of rising utility bills for pensioners. At a meeting of the regional parliament, he advised elderly people who are facing financial difficulties due to rising utility rates to sell their apartments. According to Vdovin, this will either completely eliminate the need to pay for utilities or significantly reduce expenses by moving to more modest housing. The initiative has caused a storm of indignation among residents of the region and on social networks.

Sergei Vdovin, the author of this proposal, is known not only as a member of parliament, but also as a wealthy person. According to his income declaration for 2022, his annual income was 7,2 million rubles, of which 3,3 million came from his main place of work. The deputy owns three plots of land with a total area of ​​4000 square meters, a residential building of 400 square meters, a dacha, a garage of 48 square meters, and a Toyota Land Cruiser. Such financial security contrasts with the situation of many pensioners in Mordovia, whose pensions barely cover basic needs, which makes Vdovin's advice especially provocative.

The deputy's statement came amid a difficult economic situation in the region, where rising utility rates have become one of the most discussed topics. In recent years, housing and utilities costs in Mordovia have been steadily increasing, which is especially painful for older people with a fixed income. Vdovin argued his position by saying that selling real estate could be a kind of investment, allowing pensioners to redistribute funds and improve their quality of life. However, critics perceived this as cynical advice, far from the reality of most residents.