Press Review for Thursday, 30 March 2017

The development of cotton growing, the situation in the country's prisons, the housing situation and a look at the minister's statement are the leading topics of today.

The newspaper Azerbaijan writes about the development of cotton growing in the country. In this context the author recalls the successes in this field in the 70-80s of the last century, linking these successes with the name of Heydar Aliyev.

The author concerns Ilham Aliyev's trip to Saatli in connection with the development of cotton growing. For this, more than 2 billion AZN of preferential loans has been allocated through the National Fund for Entrepreneurship Assistance.

It is also noted that along with the fact that cotton brings currency, this area is also labor-intensive and provides jobs.

Echo publishes an article on the state of prisons, which are overloaded and new ones are needed. Human rights activists analyze the situation in prisons, where there is no public control, there is rampant corruption and poor conditions of detention, prisoners are not engaged in anything, and officials do not want to change anything.

Novoye Vremya writes about labor pensions and the rise in the retirement age. The assertions of officials that the retirement age is raised because people have begun to live longer do not correspond to reality.

Unlike people of retirement age in the developed countries of Europe, Azerbaijani pensioners cannot afford to safely leave for a deserved rest because of the lack of social security.

Bizim Yol writes about the increase in demand for rental of apartments due to the demolition of old buildings. According to realtors, until June prices will rise because of the need for secondary housing.