LAW OF THE SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF GEORGIAN on the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia

Chapter I

General Provisions

Article 1.  The Autonomous Oblast

The Autonomous Oblast is a form of soviet autonomy.

The Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia is included in the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia on the basis of the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitution of the Georgian SSR.

The organs of state authority and the organs of state administration of the Georgian SSR shall secure the comprehensive cultural and economic development of the Autonomous Oblast.

Article 2. The legislation of the USSR and the Georgian SSR on the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia.

In accordance to the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitution of the Georgian SSR, the legal status of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia shall be determined by this Law and other legal acts of the USSR and the Georgian SSR.

Article 3. The Administrative-territorial arrangement of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia

The territory of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia may not be altered without consent of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast.

The Following districts are included in the Autonomous Oblast: Java, Znauri, Leningori, Tskhinvali, the City of Tskhinvali of oblast subordination and other residential areas.

The alteration of boundaries of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast shall be carried out in conformity to the rules established by law.

Creation of districts and cities, settlements and residential areas, as well as their abolishment, renaming and naming, determination of district boundaries and their alteration shall be carried out in conformity to the rules established by the law of the Georgian SSR.

The issues relating to the administrative-territorial arrangement of the Autonomous Oblast shall be decided with respect of the relevant organs of state authority of the autonomous oblast.

Article 4.  Representation of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast in the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

In accordance with Article 110 of the Constitution of the USSR, five deputies shall be elected to the Supreme Soviet of the USSR from the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia.

Article 5. Participation of residents of the Autonomous oblast in elections of the Soviets of People’s Deputies.

The citizens residing in the Autonomous oblast participate in the elections of the Supreme Soviet of People’s Deputies of the USSR, Supreme Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Georgian SSR and Local Soviets of People’s Deputies in accordance with the legal acts of the USSR and of the Georgian SSR.

Article 6. In accordance to the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitution of the Georgian SSR, citizens residing in the Autonomous Oblast are equal without distinction of origin, social or property status, race or nationality, sex, education, language, attitude to religion, type and nature of occupation, or other status and shall have the equal right to the economic, political, social and cultural life; they also shall have the right to free application of the mother tongue and other languages of the peoples of the USSR.

Article 7. The right of direct interrelations between the organs of state authority and state administration of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast and of the Georgian SSR.

Article 8. The Plan of Social and Economic Development of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia

The Plan of Social and Economic development of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia is a constituent part of the Plan of Social and Economic Development for the Autonomous Oblast of the Georgian SSR.

The major indicators of the Plan of Social-Economic Development of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast are singled out in a separate line of the Plan of Economic-Social Development of the Georgian SSR.

The Plan of Economic and Social Development of the Autonomous oblast shall secure the comprehensive economic and social development of the autonomous Oblast.

Article 9. The Budget of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia.

The budget of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia is a part of the budget of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia.

The Budget of the Autonomous oblast of South Ossetia is singled out in a separate line in the Budget of the Georgian SSR.

The part of profit of enterprises and organizations of republican subordination that are located on the territory of the oblast Soviets shall be transferred to the budget of the Autonomous Oblast; the amount of transfers and the rules shall be established by the legislation of the Georgian SSR.

The enterprises and organizations of All-Union subordination also take part in forming the revenue part of the budget of the Autonomous oblast.  The forms and methods of such participation shall be determined by the legislation of the USSR.

Chapter II

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous oblast

of South Ossetia The major principles of forming and activity of the

Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia

Article 10. The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast as the organ of state authority.

In accordance with the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitution of the Georgian SSR, the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast is the organ of state authority in the autonomous oblast.

Article 11. The jurisdiction of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia

The major principles of organization and activity of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast  and its jurisdiction is determined by the law of the USSR “on Jurisdiction of Soviets of people’s Deputies of Regions and Oblasts”, this law and other legal acts of the Georgian SSR.

The Oblast Soviet shall deal with all matters of local significance in accordance with the  interest of the citizens residing on the territory under its jurisdiction with respect of specifics of the autonomous oblast and other traits, implement decisions of higher bodies of state authority, guide the work of lower Soviets of people’s Deputies, take part in decision-making of matters of Republican and All-Union significance, and submit proposals concerning them.

The Soviet of people’s deputies of the Autonomous oblast of South Ossetia shall form the oblast organs of state administration.

Article 12. The procedure of election of the Soviet of people’s Deputies of the Autonomous oblast of South Ossetia.

The Soviet of people’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast shall be elected on the basis of universal, equal and direct suffrage by secret ballot.

The rules for conducting the elections are determined by the law of the Georgian SSR on Elections of Local Soviets of people’s Deputies.

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Article 14. Direction of the state, economic and social-cultural development by the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia shall direct on its territory execution of plans of the state, economic and social development, the budget and submit the report on its implementation, exercise general guidance over state bodies, enterprises, organizations and collective farms, facilitate the strengthening of state security, state and labour discipline, public order and protection of rights of citizens.

The enterprises, organizations and agencies, providing the service to the population of the oblast, shall be under subordination of the Autonomous Oblast.  The rules of subordination of the mentioned enterprises, organizations and agencies shall be established by the All-Union legislation and the laws of the Georgian SSR.

Article 15. Securing the comprehensive economic and social development by the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous oblast of South Ossetia on its territory; relation with the enterprises and organizations under higher subordination.

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast shall ensure comprehensive, all-round economic and social development of its area, exercise control over the activity of enterprises, institutions and organizations of All-Union or Republican subordination, coordinate and supervise administration of land-resources, environment protection, construction, labour resources, production of consumer goods. The Soviet of People’s Deputies shall hear regular reports from the heads of enterprises and institutions, take decisions on them and if necessary, submit the relevant proposals to the highest organs of state authority.  The proposals shall be considered and the results communicated to the Soviet.

The Ministries of the USSR and of the Georgian SSR, the state committees and agencies shall secure submission of indicators, plans and projects, except of plans of military production to the Oblast Soviet, take into account the conclusions of the this Soviet wile elaborating and approving the development plans of branches of the Public Economy on its territory.

(…)

Organization of the Activity of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia

The Session of the Soviet of People’s deputies of the Autonomous oblast of South Ossetia

Article 16. Guidance of the activity of lower Soviets by the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia.

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia shall direct activity of the lower Soviets of People’s Deputies in execution of decisions of higher organs of state authority, implementation of plans of economic and social development, as well as of the All-Union, Republican, regional and Interagency programs of comprehensive development in conformity to the legislation; the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia shall learn and disseminate the experience of Soviets, provide officials with training and re-education activity and elaborate effective forms and methods for raising their qualification.

The Oblast Soviet shall hear the reports and information from the lower Soviets regarding their activity; it shall have the right to revoke the acts of subordinate Soviets if they run counter to the legislation.

2. Jurisdiction of the Soviet of People’s

Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia

Article 17. Jurisdiction in the field of planning, material-technical supply, accounting and reporting.

The jurisdiction of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia shall cover:

1) Endorsement of current and prospective plans of economic and social development, organization of and control over the implementation of those plans, approval of reports on their execution; respect the requests of constituency while elaborating the current and prospective action plans, as well as of working collectives and public organizations; take measures for improving the planning works for the purpose of rational development of the economic branches; increase the effectiveness of production, acceleration of scientific and technical progress and improvement of the production quality;

2) Approval of the summarized close in the plan of economic and social development with respect of improving the working conditions, qualification and professionalism, education and cultural level, housing, health-care and other measures aimed at improving the level of life of employees;

3) Consideration of plans of organizations of All-Union and Republican subordination within the limit of its jurisdiction; submission of proposals, where necessary, to the relevant higher organs of state authority, participation in discussion of proposals; draft and approve the current and prospective plans of constructing materials, local consumer goods, communal service and cultural-housing construction, and control the implementation of the said plans.

4) Approval of the issues of location, development and specialization of enterprises, organizations and institutions of Oblast subordination and take measures for developing their material-technical basis.

5) Communication to the District and City (under the oblast subordination) Soviets the information regarding the draft-plans and approved plans of enterprises, organizations and institutions located in the area under its jurisdiction;

6) Participation in drafting the regional and other programs with regard of developing the territorial-industrial complexes and industrial blocs in the area under its jurisdiction;

7) Submission  to the relevant Ministries, State Committees and Agencies of the USSR and the Georgian SSR proposals on production of consumer goods at the enterprises under their jurisdictions (the Oblast Soviet shall be informed on the results of consideration of its proposals not later than within a month); drafting the conclusions for All-Union Ministries and the Ministries of the Georgian SSR on organization of producing of additional consumer goods outside of planned items at the enterprises under its subordination;

8) Elaboration of estimates of labour resources, local constructing materials and fuel, as well as of land resources and other estimates necessary for planning the economic and social development of the Oblast;

9) Reorganize and abolish the enterprises, organizations and institutions of oblast subordination in compliance to the rules established by law; where necessary, submit the proposals on reorganization or abolishment of the enterprises and organizations under higher subordination.;

10) Direction of organizations of oblast subordination dealing with supply and trade activity; arrangement of material-technical supply of enterprises of oblast subordination, as well as realization of produced goods;

11) Direction of accounting, reporting and statistic works at the enterprises, organizations and institutions under the oblast subordination; facilitation to the statistical entities; implementation of centralization of accounting works and introduction of progressive methods in those works; safeguarding the rules and procedures of drafting and delivering the reporting data, and its terms.

Article 18.  Jurisdiction in the field of budget and finance.

Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous oblast of South Ossetia:

1) Approves the total sum of revenues and expenditures of the budget of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast, specifies the major sources of income and assignments for local economy and for financing the social-cultural measures and maintaining the state and administrative organs of the autonomous oblast; while drafting the budget takes into account the requests of the constituency;

2) Approves the budget of the oblast, and the amount of cash-flow in pursuance to the oblast budget; determines the quarterly allocation of revenues and expenditures of the Oblast;

3) Approves the incomes and expenditures between the Oblast budget and the budgets of districts and cities of oblast subordination;

4) Determines the income and expenditure parts of the budgets for each district and city, approves the amount of transfers from state taxes and revenues to the budget of cities of oblast subordination;

5) Coordinates the implementation of the oblast budget; exercises control over implementation of budgets of cities under oblast subordination, protection of financial discipline, execution of industrial-financial plans of enterprises, associations and organizations with respect of effective usage of labour and financial resources;  examines the results of financial-economic activity of the departments and offices of the Executive Committee, enterprises and organizations; takes measures for searching the internal economic reserves;

6) Uses the additional sum of income and savings for development of local economy and financing of social and cultural events, including the investments for renovation of premises of Executive Committee, its departments and divisions and of the Notary Office, also for purchasing the equipment and facilities for them, for building the premises for village and settlement executive committees, purchasing of transportation means and renovation of existing offices (removal of the said resources from the oblast budget, except of those left due to the non-fulfillment of investment plans and the plans of development of the social-cultural institutions, is inadmissible);

7) In the course of execution of the budget and where necessary, redistributes the resources of the oblast budget among the economic branches, departments and divisions of the executive committee, and also within the approved fund of wages;

8) Approves the Report on implementation of the Oblast budget;

9) Takes measures for strengthening material-financial basis of the lower Soviets and Executive Committee;

10)  Creates the fund in the oblast budget for unforeseen expenses;

11) Determines the rules for providing the loans for covering the cash deficit to the budgets of cities under district and oblast subordination, and defines the rules for recovering of such loans;

12) In case of necessity and in pursuance to the rules established by law renders the pecuniary aid to the citizens who have got the damage from natural calamities or other accidents;

13) On the exceptional basis writes off bad debts from certain borrowers who got the loan for construction of individual houses from the State Bank of the USSR and the Construction Bank of the USSR upon the recommendation of the district or city Soviets of People’s Deputies;

14) Directs the works for calculation and collection of state and local taxes and duties; in conformity to the legislation extends the term of covering the income tax by the collective farms having got the damage due to the natural disasters, in case of necessity exercises a partial or full exemption from taxes at the expense of relevant budget; on the basis of average tax-rate on agriculture determines the tax-rates for certain districts and settlements; where necessary may reduce the rates and introduce the benefits on the local taxes and duties to the certain objects or the groups of tax-payers, decides other issues of taxes and duties under its jurisdiction;

15) Examines the quarterly cash-plans of the office of the State Bank of the USSR in districts and cities under the Oblast subordination, takes measures for execution of those plans; approves the long-term loan plans of the Oblast aimed at developing the collective farms, economic enterprises (organizations) in the rural settlements, construction of cooperative and individual houses; exercises the control over efficient and proper application of credits and timely recovery of the long-term credits; redistributes the long-term loans between the districts and cities under the Oblast subordination within the scope of total amount determined in the plans of long-term crediting for each group of  long-term debtors;

16) Exercises control over timely transfer of assessments of collective farms to the centralized Union Fund of social security of the farmers and to the centralized Union Fund of social insurance of the farmers;

17) Decides the issues relating to transferring the premises, transportation means and other property from one state organization, institutions or enterprise to other organizations, institutions or enterprises, as well as of collective farms, economic organizations and other institutions;

18) Issues the permission to the enterprises and organizations under the local subordination for purchasing the premises and facilities from the cooperative or other public organizations within the limits of capital assignments;

19) Directs the work of the state saving-banks, coordinates the allocation of the network of saving-banks on the territory of the oblast; directs the work of the local insurance agencies;

20) Administers and directs the works of internal financial audit.

Article 19. Jurisdiction in price-policy

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast:

1) Takes measures on the territory of the Autonomous oblast for implementation of uniformed price-policy and exercises control over the proper determination and application of prices, tariffs,  extra-charges and allowances by the enterprises and organizations located on the territory of the Oblast; takes necessary measures for effective state and public control in the field of price-policy, as well as for prevention of violation of price-discipline;

2) In pursuance to the legislation decides the issues of introduction of prices and tariffs; within its competence takes measures for development of price and tariff system, also for eradication of plurality of prices on the similar items and tariffs for the similar services.

Article 20. Jurisdiction in the field of Industry

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast:

1) Administers the enterprises and amalgamates, secures implementation of financial plans, controls the application of basic and current assets, quality of the production; approves the results of financial-economic activity, and the distribution of the profit; takes measures for application in industry the new and progressive technologies, and for effective use of equipments, facilities and materials; creates the fund for development of the local industry in conformity to the legislation.

2) Distributes the products of local industrial enterprises and amalgamates made of local materials, as well as of waste products and raw materials;

3) Directs the development of public goods; coordinates and controls their production at every enterprises located on the territory of the Autonomous oblast; takes measures for increasing the level of production, enlargement the range of goods  and for improving the quality of goods; organizes production of building materials on the bases of local raw materials through application of production waste at the disposal of the oblast;

4) Assists the enterprises and organizations located on the territory of the Oblast and subordinate to higher state organs in rational application of productive capacity, materials, labour and financial resources, improving the social and cultural level of workers and servants;

5) Finds the reserves of material resources for additional enlargement of the production of public goods;

6) Assists in developing the handicraft production; takes measures for strengthening the material and technical bases for handicraft production.

Article 21. Jurisdiction in the field of construction, town-planning and Architecture.

The Soviet of Peoples Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast:

1) Directs the works on town-planning, architecture and compound-construction; develops the construction works and building of premises, as well as the application of type designs and prefabricated elements, industrial methods of construction, local building materials, effective use of investments, development of material-technical base of construction; takes measures for: reducing the price, increase of effectiveness and quality, reducing the term of construction, application in construction of achievements of sciences and technologies and progressive and const-effective methods of planning and building, engineering, modern amenities and gardening;

2) In pursuance to the established rules approves or coordinates the projects and schemes of the district planning, projects of country-side zones, general plans and detailed projects of town-planning and other settlements, introduction of new construction on the territory of the oblast, extension and reconstruction of industrial, transport and other objects;

3) Exercises control over constructions carried out on the territory of the Oblast, observes the terms and quality of building and installation works; safeguards the proper application of lands under construction of premises irrespective of their subordination; prohibits or terminates construction carried out with the breach of legislation; applies other sanctions, established by law, in the event of low-grade construction of civil objects, production of poor materials and goods not meeting the standard and technical requirement;

4) Directs the building and repairing organizations under oblast subordination; observes implementation of financial-economic plans; approves the projects and titular lists of construction of the objects under oblast subordination within the limits of estimate established by law; upon the consent of enterprises, organizations, institutions and collective farms decides the issues on joint usage of resources assigned for housing, utility, road construction, building of cultural, educational, Health-care and sport facilities, offices for trade and public catering; determines the customers at those types of construction.

Article 22. Jurisdiction in the field of Agriculture and Food Production

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast:

1) Directs the agriculture and other branches of agriculture complex; takes measures for developing of material-technical basis, increase of production and improvement of the quality of agriculture products, improvement of housing and cultural conditions for the residents of rural area;

2) Approves the tasks on state purchasing of agriculture products; organizes implementation of plans by agrarian enterprises and organizations; secures the storage of agriculture products;

3) Takes measures for application of achievements of sciences and technologies as well as the progressive methods of agriculture production to the collective farms and other agrarian enterprises and organizations aimed at effective use and storage of agriculture machines, transport, fuel, fertilizers, pesticides and other material-technical resources;

4) Exercises control over the food processing organizations; observes the conditions of storage, processing and realization of agriculture products and raw materials;

5) Takes part in decision-making relating to the process of determination or changing of major direction of collective farms and other agrarian enterprises and organizations;

6) Directs the application of melioration, secure the effective exploitation of meliorating facilities;

7) Exercises control over observance of  Regulations of Collective Farms, democratic basis of management of collective farms and reconciliation of private and public interests in the collective farms;

8) Decides the issues of forming the inter-economic organizations in agrarian sector; coordinates their activity; decides the issues of their reorganization and liquidation;

9) Directs the veterinary works; introduces quarantine where necessary and secures the observance of quarantine and other veterinary and sanitary rules;

10) Takes necessary measures for fighting against vermin and weeds; introduces and removes the  quarantine on plants; exercises control over observance of rules of technical safety while applying the chemical means of plant-protection;

11) Elaborates and implements the measures aimed at increasing the agriculture production at the facilitating farms of enterprises, organizations and institutions, as well as at the private facilitating farms of peasants, workers and other citizens aimed at further developing the horticulture and trucking;

Article 23. Jurisdiction in the filed of environment protection and rational application of natural resources

The Soviet of people’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast:

1) Exercises management and state control in usage and protection of land on the territory of the Autonomous oblast; considers and approves the reports on condition and quality of the land;

2) Settles the disputes regarding the distribution of lots within the limits established by the legislation of the USSR and of the Georgian SSR; provides conclusions on rendering or seizing of land holdings exercised upon decision of higher organs;

4) Changes the boundaries and sizes of lands under collective farms and other agrarian enterprises, organizations and institutions for the purpose of strengthening or consolidation of aforementioned entities; approves the decisions of meetings of farmers and representatives on enlarging the spaces for facilitating farming at the expense of lands under public usage; gives permission for extending such spaces to the agrarian enterprises, organizations and institutions;

4) Exercises control over effective use of land and its fertility; takes measures against soil erosion, salinization, swamping and other processes worsening the soil condition;

5) Gives permission on carrying out the geologic, geodesic and other research works over all lands in pursuance the rules established by law without seizing the lands from the land-users;

6) Exercises the state management and state control in the field of water, forest, soil and air protection, as well as of fauna on the territory of the Autonomous oblast; settles the disputes on usage of water; takes part in planning of forest development, application of forest resources and timber; takes measures for protection of forests and fighting against forest-fires; exercises control over execution of measures for rehabilitation of deteriorated bowels and for re-cultivation of lands;

7) Secures elaboration and implementation of measures for environment protection, and of rational usage, protection and restoration of natural resources; exercises control over the hunting and fishing; directs the work of Associations of Environment Protection, Hunters’ and Fishermen’s.

Article 24. Jurisdiction in the field of road maintenance

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast:

1) secures the development of the road-network, its maintenance and material-technical supply for traffic regulation on the territory of the Autonomous oblast, building of premises and facilities for renovation of the roads;

2) directs the building, repair-works, maintenance and exploitation of motor roads of oblast and local importance; facilitates the building, maintenance and exploitation of motor roads of all-Union and republican importance; exercises control over building, renovation and maintaining the motor roads;

3) takes measures for rational usage of labour resources, equipment and facilities for building, renovating and maintaining of the roads;

4) coordinated involvement of collective farms, sovkhozs, industrial and transport enterprises and other organization in the process of building, reconstruction, renovation and maintenance of the local roads in pursuance of the rules established by law;

5) secures development of capacity of enterprises and organizations under oblast subordination producing materials for road construction, renovation and maintenance;

6) takes part in decision-making on the issues relating to the motor roads and roads of oblast significance; approves the enumeration of roads of local significance upon the consent of the relevant higher bodies.

Article 25. Jurisdiction in the sphere of transport and communications

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast:

1) directs the work of transport enterprises and organizations of Oblast significance;

2) exercises control over the activity of the transport enterprises and organizations of public service under higher subordination; facilitates them in fulfilling the plans of freight traffic;

3)  takes measures for concentration of motor transport at the large transport enterprises;

4) organizes the registration of motor cars and other vehicles at the enterprises, organizations and under ownership of citizens; provides supervision over the technical condition of those vehicles; exercises control over the proper usage of motor cars owned by the citizens.

5) takes measures for securing the safe traffic on the roads;

6) directs the work of communication enterprises and organizations under oblast jurisdiction, takes measures for improving the public service at the communication enterprises, provides assistance for improving the telephone, telegraph and postal communication, for development of the radio and TV network, renovation and protection of the communication lines.

Article 26. Jurisdiction in the field of housing, communal and modern services.

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast:

1) directs the works of enterprises, institutions and organizations dealing with housing, communal and modern utilities under the oblast subordination; takes measures for strengthening their material-technical base; secures the complex development of organizations of housing and communal services;

2) secures the maintenance, proper exploitation, general and current renovation of housing fund under the jurisdiction of the local Soviets;

3) exercises control over the condition and exploitation of housing fund, communal enterprises and facilities, houses and premises under the personal ownership of citizens; takes measures for shifting the housing funds under agency subordination within the jurisdiction of the local Soviets;

4) exercises control over the registration of citizens not having the sufficient lodging space;

5) coordinates the works for electrification, water supply, gas supply, heating and sewerage system of urban and rural areas and other settlements; takes measures for securing the communal services and providing the fuel to the population; exercises control over the construction and exploitation of the water purification facilities;

6) takes measures for improving the condition of modern utilities and sanitary system of residential areas, maintaining and improving the gardens;

7) coordinates involvement of enterprises, institutions and organizations under higher subordination in municipal improvements of residential areas;

8) issues permission, in pursuance to the legislation, to demolish the dwellings owned by the citizens under the right to the private property for the purpose of providing the land plots for the state and public needs;

9) issues permission for renovating the houses at the expense of funds assigned for the major repairs;

10)  takes measure for maintaining the cemeteries, communal graves and other burial places;

Article 27. Jurisdiction in the sphere of trade and public catering

The Soviet of people’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast:

1) coordinates the state and cooperative trade, public catering on the territory of the Autonomous Oblast, as well as the works of trade enterprises and organizations under Oblast subordination; takes measures for strengthening of material-technical basis of trade enterprises and public-food organizations; provides refrigerating equipment and other facilities to those organizations;

2)  approves the plans of commodity turnover  of the retail trade enterprises and organizations under the oblast subordination; distributes the market funds of consumer goods between the organizations of state trade and consumers’ cooperation;

3) coordinates and exercises control over the works of the trade enterprises and organizations, as well as of public catering establishments under higher subordination;

4) takes measures for involving additional local resources of food and industrial production;

5) takes measures for investigation of demand on the consumer goods; facilitates in concluding the agreements between the enterprises and organizations of trade and public catering; takes measures for development of the network of trade and public catering; promotes application of progressive forms of trade and services;

6) exercises control over the agriculture products produced by the consumers’ cooperation on the basis of commissioning;

7) exercises control over observance of the Statute of oblast Union of Consumers’ Associations and of democratic foundations of management of Consumers’ Cooperation;

8) takes measures for development of trade of collective farms at the farmers’ market;

9) exercises control over the observance of trade and sanitary rules at the trade organizations, as well as at the institutions of public food and the farmers’ markets.

Article 28. Jurisdiction in the sphere of consumer services

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast:

1) directs the consumer service of the population at the enterprises and organizations under oblast subordination dealing with consumer service; takes measures for strengthening of material-technical basis and effective application of capacities of the enterprises working in the field of consumer service;

2) secures the execution of industrial-financial plans by consumer service

enterprises and organizations under Oblast subordination;  exercises control over appropriation of basic assets; approves the results of financial-economic activity and distribution of profits in accordance with the established rules;

3) approves the plans of realization of consumer services by the enterprises and organizations under Oblast subordination, also the tasks of consumer service to the population provided by the enterprises and organizations of All-Union and Republican subordination.

4) coordinates and exercises control over the works of consumer service enterprises under higher subordination;

5)  secures more comprehensive supply of consumer services; takes measures for specialization and strengthening of production and application of wider types of consumer services, improvement of quality and raising the culture of service; exercises control over the regime of activity of the consumer service enterprises and offices;

6) promotes development of patronage and cooperation system between the industrial and consumer service enterprises; facilitates to the enterprises, collective farms and Sovkhozs in effective application of their capacities and enlargement of the network of consumer services.

Article 29.  Jurisdiction in the field of education and sciences

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast:

1) directs the matters of public education, pre-school and non-school education, as well as education of children at the boarding schools, children’s home and special schools; secures the implementation of general compulsory education at secondary schools; secures the possibility to apply the native language at schools as a language of instruction; takes measures for strengthening the links between the schools and enterprises, for improvement of vocational education; provides the registration of the school-age children;

2) secures the development of the network of schools, proper allocation of secondary schools, application of training workshops and sections of enterprises, organizations and collective farms for working education; takes measures for improving the activity of the night classes and the educational institution instructing by correspondence;

3) secures the development of the network of pre-school and out-of school education, their proper allocation; when necessary may increase a number of children at the pre-school establishment above the amount determined in the plan of economic and social development of the autonomous oblast and provides the additional funds from the budget of the Autonomous oblast;

4) exercises control over the schools of general education, pre-schools and out-of school establishments irrespective of their jurisdiction, and over the proper application of educational funds;

5) secures the strengthening of educational-material capacity of schools, boarding-schools, children’s homes, as well as of material basis for labour education;

6) takes measures for providing free text-books for the pupils of schools of general education;

7) provides free transportation for the children of rural area to school and from school, as well as to the places of labour education;

8) directs the work of guardianship and trusteeship establishments;

9) take measures for assisting the development of sciences, the works high educational and vocational institutions located on the territory of the Autonomous Oblast.

Article 30.  Jurisdiction in the field of Cultural-educational and Art activity

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast.

1) directs the cultural-educational works at the cultural-educational establishments under the Oblast subordination; takes measure for promoting the role of cultural-educational and art institutions in developing the higher political, working, moral and ethic levels; takes measures for strengthening their material-technical basis and capacity;

2)  coordinates and exercises control over the activity of cultural-educational organizations and institutions, art schools and enterprises irrespective of their subordination;

3) elaborates and executes the various of measures for developing the network of cultural and art establishments of the autonomous oblast, the system of cultural service to the population and the network of cultural establishment at the rural areas;  takes measures for developing of national culture, art and literature;

4) directs the work of TV and Radio broadcasting; organizes the cinema service for the population; takes measures for developing of theatrical, musical, dancing and art amateur establishments and other forms of folk amateur art activities;  organizes the festivals, competitions, exhibitions and other arrangements in the field of culture and art;

5) directs the works for introducing the civil rites in the life of Soviet citizens;

6) exercises state management and state control in the field of protection of historical and cultural monuments;

7) directs the publishing activity at the enterprises and organizations under the oblast subordination;

8) renders the assistance to the Creative Unions and organizations, the Society “Tsodna” of Georgian SSR.

Article 31. Jurisdiction in the field of Healthcare.

The Soviet of People’ Deputies of the Autonomous oblast of South Ossetia:

9) directs the affairs of healthcare at the medical organizations and institutions under the subordination of the autonomous Oblast; takes measures for strengthening their material-technical basis and institutional capacity; takes measures for developing the network of the medical institutions and for proper allocation of such organizations;  secures the emergency service to the population;

10) exercises control over the medical institutions under higher subordination;

11) coordinates and exercises control over the activity of all enterprises, institutions and organizations in health protection and sanitary-economic condition of the population, prevention of infection diseases; in case of threat of  spreading the contagious diseases introduces the special regime of labour, education, transportation and  freightage in pursuance to the established rules aimed at preventing from and liquidating the disease;

12) secures the medicine-supply and takes medical-preventive measures for the population;

13) organizes the work for protecting the mothers and children, improving the working and life conditions of women, implementing the recreating measures for children and juveniles;

14) coordinates and exercises control over the measures for preventing and reducing the noise at the residential and public premises, in the cities and other residential areas;

15) exercises state control over the recreation of environment, sanitary protection of water reservoirs, soil and air;

16) takes part in decision-making with regard of rendering the status of Resort Area to the territories, determination of boundaries of sanitary protection of the resorts and setting the regime of resort activities;

17) secures development of the zones of rest of workers; determines such zones and exercises control over proper application of resorts;

18) coordinates the activity of the oblast organization of the Red Cross of Georgia.

Article 32. Jurisdiction in the field of physical training and sport.

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia:

1) directs the affairs of physical training and sport;

2) secures the development of the network of sporting facilities and premises on the territory of the autonomous oblast; develops the network of gymnasiums for physical training of population; takes measures for strengthening of material-technical basis of physical training and sport;

3) coordinates the holding of sporting events in the oblast;

4) directs activity of voluntary sporting associations.

Article 33.  Jurisdiction in the field of labour, application of labour resources and training of human resources.

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast:

1) provides registration and regulation of labour resources on the territory of the Autonomous oblast; takes measures for rational application of labour resources and for development of the system of employment;  develops the system of public awareness with regard of demand in labour resources at the enterprises, organizations and institutions; takes measures for lowering the level of fluctuation movement of personnel at the enterprises, organizations and institutions located on the territory of the Autonomous Oblast;

2) exercises control over the observance of labour law, rules of labour protection and accident prevention;

3) takes part in elaboration of labour plans together with the Ministries, State Committees and Agencies;

4) approves the plans of organized staffing, resettlement, employment of school-leavers at the enterprises, organizations and institutions irrespective of their subordination; 

5) takes measure, together with the trade unions and other public organizations for developing of Socialist Emulation on the territory of the Autonomous Oblast;  approves the conditions and summarizes the result of the Socialist Emulation together with the oblast authorities;

6) directs the activity of training and retraining of workers and servants at the enterprises, organizations and institutions under the oblast subordination;  exercises control over the training courses at the enterprises, organizations and institutions under higher subordination;

7) designs the plans of employment for the institutions of education, culture and healthcare of the Autonomous oblast; secures the proper allocation of qualified staff;

8) organizes the works for providing the necessary working and life conditions to the servants working at the institutions of education, culture, healthcare and social protection;  exercises control over proper implementation of plans on providing these servants with housing conditions and privileges established by law;

9) takes measures for applying the scientific methods of work, sharing of progressive experience, increasing the labour effectiveness and strengthening of labour discipline;

10) takes measures for promoting the invention and rationalization activities, application of modern technologies and progressive methods at the enterprises; supports activity of scientific-technical societies.

Article 34.  Jurisdiction in the field of Social Protection

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast:

1) directs the affairs of social protection at the enterprises and organizations of social protection under the oblast subordination;

2) exercises control over the works of institutions and agencies dealing with the issues of social protection and located on the territory of the Autonomous Oblast;

3) coordinates the timely and proper assignment and payment of pensions and allowances;  exercises control over observance of legislation on privileges of the citizens;

4) institutes the personal pensions of local significance; files the motions on providing the personal pensions of republican and All-Union significance in pursuance of the rules established by law;

5) forms the oblast Council of Social protection for farmers and exercises control over its activity;

6) coordinates the work for employment of retired and disable citizens, as well as of members of families of military servicemen, perished soldiers and partisans; provides the job places for using the labour of disable and retired citizens;

8) decides the issues relating to the employment of citizens at the institutions of social protection; takes measures for developing the network of agencies dealing with the matters of social protection; provides support for strengthening of material basis and capacity of the institutions working in the field of social protection;

8) directs the works of the organs of forensic-labour medicine;

9) directs and controls the activity of associations of blinds and deaf;  develops the training and manufacturing establishments for these societies.

Article 35.  Jurisdiction in the field of administration of Socialist justice, protection of state and public order, rights of citizens and people’s control.

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast:

1) secures observance of laws of the USSR and the Georgian SSR, other acts issued by the higher organs of state authority and state administration;  secures the maintenance of state and public order, socialist property, rights and legal interests of citizens, enterprises, institutions and organizations;

2) takes measures for improving the legal works; directs this works at the enterprises, institutions and organizations under oblast subordination; organizes the work for legal consultations and interpretation of laws at the enterprises, organizations and institutions;

3) takes measures for preventing the crime;  analysis the crime situation on the territory of the Autonomous oblast;

4) when necessary, revokes the acts issued by the heads of subordinate enterprises and organizations;

5) suspends the acts, which run counter to the legislation and are issued by the heads of enterprise, institutions and organizations on the matters of land-management, water-management, environment protection, construction, housing and communal economy, application of labour resources, production of public goods, protection of historical monuments, and informs the relevant higher organs about such decision;

6) secures the timely and proper consideration of proposals, applications and complaints of citizens;  exercises control over implementation of such works at the Departments and Divisions of the Executive Committee of the oblast, at the enterprises, organizations and institutions located on the territory of the Autonomous Oblast;  receives the elucidative notes on these issues from the heads of aforementioned entities;

7) exercises administrative measures in case of breach of order in pursuance to the procedure established by law;

8) forms the Committee of People’s Control of the Autonomous oblast and changes its composition;  directs the activity of the Committee of people’s Control of the Autonomous oblast; considers the reports on its work;  revokes the decisions of the Committee of People’s Control if they run counter to the relevant legislation;

9) elects the court of the autonomous oblast and changes its composition;  considers the reports on the work of the court of Autonomous oblast;

10) directs the work of State Arbitration and Notary offices;  exercises general administration of the Bar Council; facilitates the organs of Procuracy in their work.

11) directs the work of law-enforcement agencies under its subordination; exercises control over the proper administration of passport regime;

12) directs the work of the organs of registration and the Oblast Archive;

13) coordinates the measures aimed at preventing the natural calamities and for liquidation of results of natural disasters;  when necessary, coordinates the involvement of such works the staff of enterprises, organizations and institutions, and population;

14) coordinates the work of voluntary squads on protection of public order,  amicable courts and other public organs;

15) directs the fire-preventive activities on the territory of the Autonomous oblast; coordinates the work of voluntary fire-brigades;

16) directs the activities for protecting the lives of people at the rivers, lakes and water reservoirs;

17) exercises control over the observance of legislation on religious rites.

Article 36.  Jurisdiction in the field of defence

Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast:

1) secures implementation of the law of the USSR on general military obligation by all individuals and citizens, as well as by enterprises, organizations and institutions;

2) directs the work of military training of civilians on the territory of the Autonomous oblast;

3) exercises control over the observance of legislation on privileges and aids determined for participants of the Great patriotic War, ex-servicemen and reserve forces, as well as the privileges and aids for families of perished soldiers and partisans;

4) takes measures for providing the reserves to the Military Forces of the USSR and for fulfilling the other tasks in the field of defence;

5)  organizes the works for military-patriotic education of the population; develops the patronage links between the working collectives and military units; directs and controls the work of voluntary defence associations.

Article 37. Jurisdiction in organizing the elections

The Soviet of people’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast:

secures the implementation of necessary measures on the territory of the Autonomous oblast for preparing and holding the elections of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR, local Soviets of People’s Deputies, as well as of the District (City)People’s Courts.

Article 38. Jurisdiction in institution of government award

The Soviet of people’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast considers the recommendations on awarding the citizens with the Orders and Decorations of the USSR, granting the honorific titles of the USSR and of the Georgian SSR and submits the proposals on awarding the citizens.

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast, upon authorization of the presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR and on its behalf performs the ceremony of awarding with the Orders of the USSR.

Article 39.  Other jurisdiction of the Soviet of people’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast

Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast, in addition to the jurisdiction specified for in this Law, exercises other authorities in pursuance to the legislation of the USSR and of the Georgian SSR.

III. Organization of the work of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast.

Session of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast

Article 40.  Convocation and rule of operation of the Session

The Executive Committee of the Autonomous Oblast shall convoke the session of the People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast not less than four times a year.

The session may be convoked at the request of not less than one-third of Deputies of the oblast Soviet.

The first session of newly elected Oblast Soviet shall be convened by the oblast Executive Committee within three weeks after elections and the session shall be inaugurated by the oldest Deputy.  The following session shall be open by the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Soviet.

The Executive Committee of the Oblast Soviet shall inform the Deputies and the public about the time and venue of convocation of the session, as well as of the matters in agenda two weeks prior of the session.

The session of the oblast Soviet is authorized if not less than two-thirds of Deputies are present.

The Oblast Soviet shall elect a Chairman and a Secretary from the Deputies for leading the Sessions.

Article 41. The rules of submitting the issues to be considered at the session

The Executive Committee, Standing Commissions and the Deputies of the oblast Soviet are authorized to submit the issues to be considered at the session.

Proposals to the agenda of the session may be submitted by the public organizations of the Oblast, as well as by the district and city Soviets of the People’s Deputies.

Article 42. The matters decided at the sessions

The Soviet of people’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast is authorized to consider any issues under its jurisdiction in conformity to the legislation of the USSR and the Georgian SSR.

The following issues shall be under the sole authority of the sessions:

1) recognition of the authority of Deputies; pre-term termination of the authority of Deputies in the events prescribed by law;

2) election of the Oblast Executive Committee and alteration of its composition; formation and election of standing Commissions of the oblast Soviets and alteration of their composition;

3) consideration of reports on the activity of the executive committee and standing commissions;

4) consideration of information submitted by the Deputies on performing the duties of deputies, decisions and instructions of the Soviet and its bodies;

5) forming the divisions and department of the executive committee, appointment and dismissal of the heads of divisions and departments;

6)  forming the Committee of People’s Control of the Autonomous Oblast and alteration of its composition; consideration of reports on the activity of the Committee of the People’s Control of the Autonomous oblast; revoke the decisions of the Committee of the people’s Control of the Autonomous Oblast if they run counter to the legislation;

7) forming the Commissions at the Executive Committee in conformity to the legislation;

8) election of the Oblast Court and alteration of its composition; consideration of the Report on the activity of the Oblast Court;

9) approval of current and prospective plans of economic and social development, as well as the budget of the Autonomous Oblast;

10) approval of reports on execution of current and prospective plans of economic and social development and execution of the budget of the Autonomous oblast;

11) consideration and approval of the Action Plans on implementation of mandates;

12) consideration of questions of Deputies;

13) annulment of decisions and orders of the Executive Committee of the oblast Soviet; annulment of decisions of the lower Soviets if they run counter to the legislation.

Article 43. Decisions made by the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast adopts decisions within the scope of its jurisdiction established by the legislation of the USSR and the Georgian SSR; secures the implementation of decisions.  The decisions made by the oblast Soviet are binding to the enterprises, institutions and organizations located on the territory of the Oblast, and to the officials and citizens.

The decisions of the Oblast Soviet shall be adopted on the basis of voting by show by majority of total number of Deputies of the Oblast Soviet; the Decision shall be signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Executive Committee.

The decisions of the oblast Soviet shall be communicated to the relevant organizations, officials and public within ten days by the executive committee.  Proposals and recommendations envisaged in the Decision addressed to the enterprises, institutions and organizations under higher subordination shall be considered by the heads of the said organizations; the latter shall inform about the results the Soviet or its executive committee within two weeks.

If the Heads of enterprises, institutions and organizations under higher subordination fail to execute the decision made by the Oblast Soviet, the latter is authorized to address to the relevant higher authorities with proposal on imposition of disciplinary sanctions up to removal from the office.  The local Soviet or its executive Committee shall be informed about the results of consideration of its proposal within a month.

The Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR may revoke the Decision adopted by the Oblast Soviet if it runs counter to the law.

(…)

The Executive Committee of the Soviet of

People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast

Article 45.  Executive Committee of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast is the executive and administrative body of the Soviet.

The executive-administrative body of the Soviet of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast shall be the Executive Committee elected by the Soviet from among the deputies composed of: a chairman, first vice-chairman, a secretary and members. The number of members to the executive committee shall be decided by the Oblast Soviet.

The executive committee shall be directly accountable both to the Soviet that elected it to the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR.

The executive committee shall report on its work at least once a year to the Oblast Soviet that elected it and to meetings of citizens at their places of work or residence.

The sittings of the executive committee of the oblast Soviet shall be convened upon the necessity but not less than once a month.  The sitting of the executive committee shall be deemed authorized if not less than two-thirds of its members are present.

Article 46.  Jurisdiction of the executive committee

The executive Committee of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast shall guide the state, economic and social-cultural development of its area on the basis of decisions made by the Soviet that elected it and by the higher executive and administrative bodies.

The Executive Committee shall decided matters within the powers accorded to the Soviet except those that are under the sole jurisdiction of the Session of Soviet.

The Executive Committee:

convokes the session of the Soviet and provides the preparatory works;

organizes the preliminary discussion of draft-decisions of the Soviet on the important issues at the meetings of citizens at their places of work or residence;

coordinates the work of standing commissions of the Soviet;

assists the deputies in exercising their authorities;

elaborates and submits to the Oblast Soviet the current and prospective plans of economic and social development, as well as the budget of the Autonomous Oblast; takes measures for implementation of the plans and budget;  reports the Oblast Soviet on execution of plans and implementation of budget;

coordinates implementation of decisions adopted by the Soviet and higher state bodies, mandate of electors and informs the deputies and population regarding their realization.

Article 47. Performance of guidance of the divisions and departments.  Relation with enterprises, organizations and institutions

The Executive Committee of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast shall guide and administer the work of divisions and departments of the executive committee, enterprises, institutions and organizations under the oblast subordination;   in the period between convocation of sessions appoints and dismisses the heads of divisions and departments subject to subsequent confirmation at the session (with the consent of relevant higher body of state administration);  appoints to and removes from the office leading officials of divisions and departments of the executive committee, heads of enterprises, institutions and organizations under the Oblast subordination (in conformity to the list approved by the executive committee of the oblast Soviet and upon the consent of the higher body of state administration).

The Executive Committee of the oblast Soviet may consider the matters accorded to the competence of its divisions and departments.

Article 48.  Decisions and ordinances of the Executive Committee

Within its power, the Executive Committee of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast shall make decisions and issue the ordinances.

Decisions of the Executive Committee of the oblast Soviet shall be adopted by the simple majority of vote casts; it shall be signed by the chairman and the secretary of the Executive Committee.  The ordinances of the Executive Committee of the Oblast Soviet shall be signed by the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee of the Oblast Soviet is authorized to revoke decisions and ordinances issued by the executive committees of lower Soviets of People’s Deputies.

The Oblast Soviet and the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR are authorized to revoke the decisions and ordinances issued by the executive committee of the Oblast Soviet.

Article 49.  Term of authority of the Executive committee

After expiration of the term of authority of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast, its executive committee shall retain the authority until the newly elected Oblast Soviet has elected the executive committee.

Article 50.  Structure and the staff of the Executive Committee

The Structure and the staff of the Executive Committee of the people’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast, its divisions and departments shall be determined on the basis of norms adopted by the Georgian SSR for staffing of the given executive committee.  The number of employees shall be determined within the scope of salary fund on the basis of average wage of officials and in conformity to the salary-scheme for state officials.

(…)

Divisions and departments of the Executive Committee of the

Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast.

Article 62.  Forming of divisions and departments

Divisions and departments of the Executive Committee of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast shall be formed by the Oblast Soviet and they are subordinate to the Soviet and its executive committee, as well as to the higher body of state administration.

Divisions and departments of the Executive Committee of the Soviet of People’s Deputies shall report to the Soviet, its executive committee, relevant ministry and state committee of the Georgian SSR, as well as to the meetings of citizens at their places of work or residence.

The list of divisions and departments and the procedure for their forming shall be established by the law of the USSR and of the Georgian SSR.

Divisions and departments of the Executive Committee shall be financed from the budget or run on a self-supporting.

The Statute of divisions and departments of the executive Committee of the Oblast Soviet shall be approved by the Council of Ministers of the Georgian SSR.

Article 63.  Competence of the divisions and departments and principles of their activity

The divisions and departments of the executive Committee of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast shall guide the branches of state, economic and social-cultural development on the territory of the autonomous oblast within the power accorded them.

the collegiums may be formed at the divisions and departments.  The composition of collegiums shall be approved by the executive Committee of the Oblast Soviet.  The decisions of collegiums, as a rule, shall be implemented under the Order issued by the divisions and departments.

Within the scope of his competence, the head of division or department of the Executive Committee of the Oblast Soviet issues the Orders on the basis and for execution of the decisions and ordinances of the Executive Committee, as well as of higher organs of state authority and state administration.

Chapter III

Other state bodies of the South Ossetian Autonomous oblast

Article 64. The Court of the Autonomous oblast

On the basis of Article 164 of the Constitution of the Georgian SSR, the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast shall elect the Court of the Autonomous Oblast.

Article 65. Judicial proceedings in the Autonomous oblast

In accordance with Article 171 of the Constitution of the Georgian SSR,  judicial proceedings in the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia shall be conducted in the language of autonomous oblast or in Georgian, or in the language of majority of the local population of given locality. Persons participating in the court proceeding, who do not know the language in which they are being conducted, shall be secured the right to become fully acquainted with the materials in the case through the interpreter, and the rights to address the court in their own language.

Article 66.  Procurator of the Autonomous Oblast

In accordance with the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitutions of the Georgian SSR, the procurator of the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia shall be appointed by the Procurator General of the USSR.

Chapter IV

Concluding Provisions

Article 67. Adoption of and changes to the Law on the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia

In accordance of the Constitution of the USSR and the Constitution of the Georgian SSR, the Law on the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia shall be adopted by the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR upon submission by the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast.  The changes and amendments to this Law may be introduced by the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR upon proposal of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South-Ossetian Autonomous Oblast.

Article 68. Application of the authority of a legal person

The Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast shall have the status of a legal person.

The Executive Committee of the Oblast shall have the official seal on sample approved by the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Georgian SSR.

Article 69. The rules of hoisting the State Flag on the premises where the sessions of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast are held and on the Office-Building of the Executive Committee of the Oblast Soviet

In accordance with the Regulations on the State Flag of the Georgian SSR, the state flag of the Georgian SSR shall be hosting during the session period on the building, in which the session of the Soviet of People’s Deputies of the South Ossetian Autonomous Oblast is held, and on the Office of the Executive Committee of the oblast Soviet – permanently.

The raising of state flag on the building of the Executive Committee, as well as of the state flag of the USSR and the state flag of the Georgian SSR on the state and public offices, enterprises, organizations and institutions shall be carried out in pursuance of the rules established by the Regulations on the state flag of the USSR and the State flag of the Georgian SSR.

12 November 1980

(The Law of the Soviet Socialist Republic of Georgia on the Autonomous Oblast of South Ossetia.  Tskhinvali, 1981, p. 3-67)