THOSE WHO MAKE 30,000, LET THEM GET BY WITH 28,000 DRAM: SEEMS THIS ARMENIAN MP CAN’T DO HIS MATH
Tert.am
17:18 ~U 10.03.10
Chair of the parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Affairs
and Republican Party of Armenia MP Hakob R. Hakobyan believes no
social crisis is expected in Armenia after April 1, given the rise
in gas prices.
At a press conference today, Hakobyan said that the conditions of
those citizens under the state aegis will not deteriorate due to the
rise in gas tariff.
"When we were confirming the budget, we adopted such a policy that
just as many resources will be spent in social areas this year as in
2009," said Hakobyan.
He shares the view that due to the 6.5% inflation last year, the
purchasing power of pensions, salaries and social benefits has been
cut. However he thinks that the inflation has not been big for those
who are socially vulnerable in Armenian society.
"There’s a difference between a household income of 15,000 AMD and
30,000 AMD. Our approach is as follows: no worries, the family with
30,000 AMD income can get by just as well with 28,000 AMD," he said,
adding that it is important that the state compensate the expenses
of low-income individuals, since due to the rise in gas prices,
the expenses for these marginalized groups will increase too.
In an effort to prevent social polarization, currently discussions
are being held to find out which social group’s expenses the state
will compensate and by how much.
According to Hakobyan’s calculations, a four-member family’s expenses
will increase by an average of 2,500-3,000 AMD as a result of a rise
in gas prices.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
