MOSCOW, March 29 (RAPSI) – A bill toughening punishment for violations in the sphere of procurement for state and municipal needs passed its first reading in the State Duma on Thursday, according to the database of the parliament’s lower house.

The document was submitted to the State Duma by President Vladimir Putin in mid-March.

The draft law envisages criminal liability for provocation of commercial bribery in the sphere of procurement.

According to the bill, violation of Russian legislation regulating procurement of goods and services committed by persons who are not officials or managers will result in criminal liability if the action caused large damage. In this case a person responsible is to pay a fine of up to 200,000 rubles ($3,500) and may be imprisoned for up to three years.

In addition, commercial bribery of employees of a contract service, contract managers, chiefs of procurement commissions, persons receiving procured goods and services as well as persons representing the client may result in a prison term of up to 12 years. The bill also specifies reasons that list grounds for release of persons who transferred unlawful remuneration to specified persons from criminal liability.