“In fact, experts’ estimate on pricing is not accepted. Simply, the commercial company says that it has a budget gap, and it should be covered at the expense of the consumers”, so responded the new PANM member, Hovhannes Igityan, in response to the question of Aravot.am about what we should expect from the new government when they once again hit the consumer’s pocket by increasing the tariff for electricity. He agreed with the opinion that it is strange that such a gap has emerged with the company, which has a guaranteed consumption. Then he said that the electricity consumption among the RA inhabitants for this winter has increased. To our observation whether the increase in tariff of electricity, in fact, was arbitrary, Mr. Igityan responded, “The companies in Armenia that have state or semi-state monopoly, especially in connection with Russia, are engaged in the business deal. How it happened that the same company that is already Russian, “ArmRusGas” buys the gas at one price on the border and sells at another price not to other company but the residents. I have never seen our anti-monopoly committee speak from the interests of the consumers.” The fact of the gap is suspicious for Mr. Igityan. With this regard, he said, “It means that we, the consumers, are suffering because of at least their poor management, wrong calculations, luxurious salaries, vehicles, furniture, and office expenses, because all of these costs are at our expense. I’m not saying that the employees of this company should live like citizens of Armenia at the threshold of poverty, but at least they should make match their costs to the average cost of an Armenian company. This is contempt of the citizens of Armenia. There are different people, also our officials that directly and indirectly are receiving money. If we look at how they are dealing with companies involved in this business, we will see that they are interested.” Mr. Igityan also sees a political context regarding the increase in electricity tariff, and mentions, “This winter, because of high gas prices, many consumers change their heating system from gas to electricity. Therefore, the gas consumption is reduced. I do not rule out the possibility that the price for electricity rises, taking into consideration that Russia should sell more gas this year.”
TATEV HARUTYUNYAN
