Interfax said Yeltsin issued a decree assuming the exclusive right to dismiss or punish in any other way chiefs of regional administrations throughout Russia.
Some administration chiefs in the 89 regions and ethnic republics which make up Russia were directly appointed by Moscow. Others were elected or named by local councils.
A duty officer in Yeltsin's press office confirmed the signing of the decree, but gave no details.
"The decree is aimed at consolidating the executive branch of power ... its ability to conduct economic reform," Interfax quoted the decree as saying.
But the document also clearly aims to end attempts by local councils, many of which are dominated by Yeltsin's conservative opponents, to secure greater control over regional administrations.
Interfax said the order applied only to the heads of executive power in 68 regions of Russia proper, but not to the heads of local governments in 21 ethnic republic subdivisions, which enjoy greater autonomy from Moscow.
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