AMENDED BILL CALLS FOR GREATER COMPENSATION TO OWNERS OF ALIENATED PRIVATE PROPERTY

Armenpress
Sept 27 2006

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 27, ARMENPRESS: By a vote of 62 to 0 the parliament
has turned down today a government-designed bill on alienation of
private property for the needs of the state and society that was put
on the third and final reading.

The bill was presented yesterday by justice minister David Harutunian
who said the bill has incorporated a set of proposals suggested by
the United Labor Party, the human rights defender’s office and a
parliament committee.

The Republican Party and the United Labor Party have suggested that the
amount of compensation to the owners of private property alienated for
the needs of the state must be 15 percent higher than the property’s
market price.

The bill was supported by lawmakers from the Republican Party, United
Labor Party and the ARF, all making the ruling coalition, but MPs
from the opposition Ardarutyun (Justice) block, Orinats Yerkir and
the National Unity did not participate in the vote.

Under a Constitutional Court ruling the bill must be passed before
October 1. It is likely to be put on the vote again.