NEW TAX PACKAGE ADDITIONAL BURDEN FOR ARMENIAN SOCIETY: ARF-D

Tert.am
15:39 ~U 17.02.10

The new tax package stirred up a heated debate between Republican
Party of Armenia member Vardan Ayvazyan and Armenian Revolutionary
Federation (Dashnaktsutyun, ARF-D) member Artsvik Minasyan.

At a press conference today, Minasyan said that there is a lack of
necessary reasoning in introducing these taxes, which cover economic,
social, legal and political sectors. In his words, at a time when the
country is still in crisis and society is on the brink of an economic
collapse, this tax package is nothing but an additional a burden on
the public.

"The government, by making controversial interpretations, creates a
muddled situation and is unable to give answers to specific questions,"
said Minasyan.

In his opinion, not all the 915 heads of local communities are
conscientious and will implement these taxes as they wish. However,
the ARF-D member did mention that his party is not opposed to the
financial development of local communities and also to the development
of local self-government bodies.

Ayvazyan, in turn, said that due to this ammendment in legislation, two
important types of taxes come under the authority of local communities
– land tax and property tax. As for the other 7-8 taxes included in
this package, local community leaders and elders’ councils, at their
will, can implement them themselves. Ayvazyan also said that this
document enables the local communities to organize their finances
and be independent.

"Local communities will no longer have to sit and wait to see whether
the Ministry of Finance grants them subsidies or not," said Ayvazyan.

Minasyan was surprised that Ayvazyan, who was against this package and
had expressed his concern over the matter in the parliament, is now
speaking in favor of this package. Ayvazyan, confirming his stance,
said he was definitely going to vote for this package.

What ARF-D suggests is separating the package into two parts (land
tax and property tax) and bring them to a vote. As for the rest,
ARF-D suggests sending them back to the government.

"We should not give unlimited authority to the heads of local
communities. It will overburden them, and they will start offering
unnecessary services," concluded Minasyan.