Aravot.am inquired from the Chairman of the Chamber of Control, Ishkhan Zakaryan, about what happened to the well-known cable “kickback”, about which he announced at the National Assembly when presenting the 2012 annual report.
Note that at that time, Ishkhan Zakaryan had brought cable with him and shaking it announced that when building some courts, this kind of cable was used, which costs 110 drams per meter in the stores, and the same cable was stated in the budget cost estimates about 30 times more. Ishkhan Zakaryan replied, “What we were saying, we were saying that if a product’s price is actually 107 drams, by performing acts they are receiving, let’s say, 20 thousand drams. Hrair Tovmasyan showed the board and said, we have received it by performing acts – 2000 drams, but we all know the real price of 180-200 thousand drams. What we wanted to say is to write down the true price in the budget estimates. If the cable costs 107 drams, write down 107 drams, if the cubic meter of the board is 180 thousand drams, write down 180 thousand drams. Why do you write in one case 2000 drams and in another case – 20 thousand drams? They explained to us that we set prices, but we do not come out of the prices of total tender package. We found out that there are risks of corruption here, all refers to these projects, interests, and packages problems.
Now you see that the volumetric overstatements are down to almost 0. This is an inevitable fact. We have at least conducted research in 4 municipalities, one in Urban Development Ministry PIU, one at the “Social Investment Fund” project, and the Ministry of Transport. In one case, we received 0.2 percent with regard to marzpetarans, and 037 percent for the Ministry of Transport. But, beside this, there is a serious problem associated with the interest rate. It is, of course, a very specialized task. We have a developed project consisting of almost 15 pages in the form of government decree. It is already ready, a working group has been set up, and now we are working. We offer a 19 percent cut. Now, as a result, whether it will be reduced by 19 percent, 7 percent, or 20 percent, that’s already a professional side. But the point that the problem is there and everybody accepts it is a fact,” thus Ishkhan Zakaryan refrained from answering about what was the effect of this noise exposure.
Note that at the time, when presenting the report on expenses, Ishkhan Zakaryan was not concerned about the cost of the cable and incorrect formulation in the budget estimates. He clearly stated that even if they look at the total, adding – subtracting the total, 200 million more drams was taken from the budget. “When I say that the cable costs 110 drams, but more expensive price is documented, the minister shows the piece of wood and says that this wood costs more expensive than it is written. Very well, we do not say anything else, but it is not fair. I had twice invited Hrair Tovmasyan saying that there is a problem, and he had said that it was not done during hit time and he has nothing to do with it, moreover, it has nothing to do with PIU. But, CoC experts say that one was bought cheap and the other – more expensive, but when we add-subtract cheap and expensive, you have taken 200 million more drams. This is what we wanted to say.”
Hripsime JEJEBYAN
