GOVERNANCE SYSTEM EFFICIENCY TO BE ENHANCED
gov.am
Feb 25 2010
Armenia
Chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, the Cabinet met in a
planned session at the Office of Government.
To begin with, the Prime Minister addressed the key issue of improving
the system of governance which was central in the President’s
electoral program.
"We are set to improve the system of governance, the mechanisms of
which are described in all detail in the electoral program of the
President of the Republic of Armenia. We are making great efforts
which perhaps may not be visible as yet: we are defining the functions
of ministries, including the duties of all units, departments and
positions. Besides, we are clarifying the functions of individual
ministries, agencies and inspectorates."
Then the Prime Minister highlighted the role of the chiefs of staff
and stressed the need for being more exacting toward them. He cited
the example of the chief of staff of the Minister of Labor and Social
Affairs who was said to have fallen short of his responsibilities with
a service probe due to be started so as to relieve him of his post.
The head of government spoke about the protests staged by wholesale
market traders. He noticed that it was initially decided to put the
bulk of the fiscal burden on market supervisors so as to bring small
and medium-size entities under tax control while preventing them
from incurring extra losses. Market traders would not have protested,
if the authorities had kept by this principle.
During the meeting, the government approved the Shirak marz social
and economic development program for 2010-2013. The central bodies
of executive authority and the governor of Shirak marz undertook to
submit proposals on program amendments, if necessary, considering
the trends of macroeconomic developments.
The government endorsed the concept of electronic society which is
based on developed countries’ best experience and know-how.
The Cabinet decided to allocate AMD 60000.0 thousand to the Ministry of
Finance for a 2- percentage-point refund of interest due on mortgage
loans available under the "Affordable housing for young families"
program.
Next, the government approved the national awareness raising program
concerning the State symbols and civic education. The program seeks
to foster patriotic feelings and a sense of civic duty among the
population and implies the raising of nation-wise thinking citizenship
ready to serve their homeland.
The government accepted the proposal of the management of Moscow Cinema
House Ltd on the free transfer to the Holy See of St Echmiadzin of
the ownership of the site housing the summer lounge of Moscow Cinema
House at Abovian-18 in Yerevan. The proposal aims the building of a
new church at the venue of the former Saint Paul-Peter Church which
was pulled down during the Soviet era.
To support this year’s 11th edition of the 21st Century Prospects
international music festival, the government decided to allocate AMD
40000.0 thousand to the Ministry of Culture for transfer to Modern
Armenian Music Center NGO. Tigran Sargsyan noted that the festival
is held under the high patronage of the President of Armenia offering
the public an exclusive opportunity to enjoy premium-quality classical
music.
The government adopted a number of other decisions on international
cooperation, legislative amendments, changes in land ratings etc.