MOSCOW, April 29 (RAPSI) – The Federation Council on Saturday approved a law on business ombudsmen, which includes the definition of the status, basic responsibilities and competence of the federal and regional ombudsmen.

In June 2012, President Vladimir Putin appointed Boris Titov, leader of the Delovaya Rossiya business association, as the representative for entrepreneurs’ rights.

The ombudsmen will protect the rights and legitimate interests of the business community, monitor federal and regional authorities for their compliance with the rights of business people, promote the development of public institutions aimed at protecting the rights of businesses and bolster cooperation with them, as well as contribute to the development and implementation of government policy in this area.

According to the law, ombudsmen can issue binding requests to suspend the operation of non-regulatory acts issued by local authorities and send substantiated proposals to the Russian president to revoke government resolutions and instructions.

A business ombudsman cannot be a member of the houses of parliament, hold a government post, or any other paid or voluntary job (with the exception of teaching, research or creative positions).

A business ombudsman can appeal against commercial court rulings. A federal ombudsman can initiate the set up of situation centers at government agencies for hearing pubic complaints and can also protect the rights and legitimate interests of Russian business people abroad.