FINANCE MINISTER: EXPECTED RISE OF PENSIONS AND BENEFITS WILL BE ADEQUATE TO RISE OF GAS TARIFF

ArmInfo
2010-03-31 12:08:00

ArmInfo. The rise of pensions and benefits expected in 2010 will be
adequate to rise of the gas tariff and will recompense the expenses
of the under-privileged people, Finance Minister Tigran Davtyan told
media on Wednesday.

Experts say that rise of the gas tariff starting April 1 2010 will
increase the costs of a family by 2,500 drams in average. The minister
said that the Government will rise the family benefits by 15% (by
3.500 drams) starting May 1 2010 and pensions by 11% (2,600 drams)
starting Nov 1 2010. This is an adequate decision. Social problems
are still prior for the government, but our desires were restricted
by our possibilities, the minister said. He could not specify how
much other products and services grow will in price influenced by
the new gas tariff.

The minister said that the decision to increase pensions and tariffs
will create additional burden for the budget for 2010 in the amount
of 6-6.5 billion. Tigran Davtyan said the pensions and benefits will
be increased at the expense of additional incomes from activation
of economy, toughening of the tax administration and the government
reserve funds.

Starting April 1 2010 gas tariff for the population will increase
from 96,000 drams to 132,000 drams per 1000 cu m. In some regions of
the country water and other communal services have already increased
in price.