ArmenPress
Dec 16 2004
MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS IN SHIRAK RECEIVE SOCIAL CARDS
GYUMRI, DECEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS: Seventy-seven percent of
280,000-strong population in the province of Shirak has applied to
local authorities for receiving social cards and 75 percent have
already received it.. The majority of them are rural residents.
The government has earmarked 120 million this year for
introduction of social card system, a move expected largely to raise
the efficiency of government bodies dealing with immediate needs of
the population. The new system is supposed to reduce also the number
of corrupt practices.
Using social cards, individuals will be able to pay their utility
fees, open a bank account, receive social allowances, pensions, and
so on. A number of softer procedures are supposed to be effective
parallel to the introduction of the system to help citizens avoid
major problems.