A regular Cabinet meeting took place, chaired by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
With the package of non-reportable issues, by the decision of the Government, amendment were made to the decision N 1763-L of the Government of the Republic of Armenia of October 12, 2023 “On approving the measure and procedure for providing social assistance to those forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh from September 19, 2023, to live in temporary housing and to help them pay for utilities.”
Within the framework of the decisions, it is proposed not to consider the persons registered in the state population register of the Republic of Armenia prior to September 19, 2023 as beneficiaries, and also to arrange the payments completely in a non-cash way. The decision regulates the relations related to the provision of social assistance to those forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh from September 19, 2023 for living in a temporary shelter and assisting them in meeting the costs of utility services and taking care of their primary consumer needs. In case of application of the legal act, a number of problems arising in exercising the rights of people forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh will be solved.
Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Narek Mkrtchyan, reporting on the work of the “Humanitarian Center” aimed at solving the problems of people forcibly displaced from Nagorno Karabakh, noted. “First of all, let me note that 104,200 people have been paid one-time support of 100,000 AMD, of which 75,725 are adults and 28,475 are minors. Today we allocate another 500 million AMD to continue payments. We have processed 3,800 applications, in addition, we have also received data of 800 persons from the partners of the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sport and the Ministry of Health. They are our compatriots from Nagorno-Karabakh who were transferred to Armenia for treatment and education after the illegal blocking of the Lachin Corridor, whose data we will also process and provide. Basically, with this payment, we will have paid to about 108,800 people in the coming days. Payments will also continue within the framework of the AMD 40,000 plus 10,000 support program to cover utilities and rent. 99,820 people have already been paid.
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We have also started receiving applications for November. As of now, we have 68,475 applications, in addition, the electronic support platform for consumer expenses of 50,000 AMD for the months of November and December is being launched today. We have also had discussions with our colleagues from the Central Bank and the Union of Banks, and according to the preliminary agreement, there are already 2 banks that have expressed their willingness to make cashless payments to persons aged 75 or more and with first and second degree disabilities who previously received cash money. In other words, to issue cards and deliver them to residential addresses. Already on the online platform, when citizens submit an application, it will be there, if they have a bank card, they will indicate that they have one, if they do not have one, a window will open with the data of the partner banks and the person will choose the bank, and we will already transfer the data to the banks, after which the cards will be issued. In other words, we will provide the 50,000 in cashless way, and starting from December, when we receive the 40+10 applications in full, we will switch to cashless again.”
A discussion was held regarding persons who are not beneficiaries of the support programs. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in this regard. “Our task is to deliver the money to the needy in minutes. If among those in need, three people who are not in need also received it, we have not deviated from our task, because our goal is to help thousands of needy people. Everything else is recorded, non-cash, and you can calmly clarify these issues without haste.”
With the package of non-reportable issues, the government made a decision to make amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia for 2023” and the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No. 2111 of December 29, 2022. About allocating money to the staffs of governors of Lori, Kotayk, Shirak, Syunik, Vayots Dzor and Tavush. According to the decision, it is proposed to allocate AMD 3,262,245.0 thousand to the staffs of the relevant regional administrations in order to fulfill the financial obligations towards the relevant construction organizations. As a result of the decision, the development of the economic and social infrastructures of RA communities will be ensured.
With the package of non-reportable issues, the government made a decision to make amendments and additions to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia for 2023” and the Decision of the Government of the Republic of Armenia No. 2111 of December 29, 2022 on allocating money to the regional administrations of Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Gegharkunik, Lori, Kotayk, Shirak, Syunik, Vayots Dzor and Tavush. According to the decision, it is proposed to allocate AMD 3,262,245.0 thousand to the staffs of the regional administrations in order to fulfill the financial obligations towards the relevant construction organizations. As a result of the decision, the development of the economic and social infrastructures of Armenia’s communities will be ensured.
The Government approved the proposal to sign the financing agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the European Commission “Implementation of lessons learned from the stress tests carried out after the Fukushima incident”. The Republic of Armenia and the European Commission are planning to conclude a financing agreement “Implementation of lessons learned from the stress tests after the Fukushima incident” with a cost of 2 million euros, which will be used for the purchase of mobile diesel pumps. The latter will increase the level of safety of the 2nd NPP power unit, strengthening the resistance to external impulses and improving the management of severe accidents.
The Government approved the proposal to sign the agreement between the Republic of Armenia and the Eurasian Development Bank “On providing a financial loan from the funds of the Eurasian Stabilization and Development Fund”. The expediency of signing the agreement is conditioned by the need to ensure the implementation of the decision of the Government of Armenia “On the Law on the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia for 2023 and Measures to Ensure the Implementation of the State Budget of the Republic of Armenia for 2023”.
