Armenian government vows support to socially vulnerable groups
05.03.2009,
20:32
The Armenian government stands ready to support the socially vulnerable amid the global recession, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said.
YEREVAN, March 5. /ARKA/. The Armenian government stands ready to support the socially vulnerable amid the global recession, RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said.
According to the premier, changes in tariffs on electricity, gas and water suggest 2,000 drams (around $5.4) extra monthly expenses for an average Armenian family.
“Drawing up the 2009 budget, we stated that a 14% rise in monthly pensions is due to the growth of tariffs in April,” Sargsyan said, adding the rise in pensions aims at softening the negative impact of the price rise.
The premier stressed that the government had agreed with its strategic partners on raising tariffs in Q2. “Thus, the price rise will have a little impact on families, as electricity and gas consumption will decrease considerably in April, compared to January and February,” he said.
According to the premier, socially vulnerable families are in hardships due to a 20% slowdown in remittances to Armenia. “This downfall first of all hits the socially vulnerable,” the premier said.
“It means that the government must continue its target policy, assisting 118,000 socially vulnerable families. If their number increases, the government will earmark budget funds to pay social benefits to those families,” he concluded. –0--
According to the premier, changes in tariffs on electricity, gas and water suggest 2,000 drams (around $5.4) extra monthly expenses for an average Armenian family.
“Drawing up the 2009 budget, we stated that a 14% rise in monthly pensions is due to the growth of tariffs in April,” Sargsyan said, adding the rise in pensions aims at softening the negative impact of the price rise.
The premier stressed that the government had agreed with its strategic partners on raising tariffs in Q2. “Thus, the price rise will have a little impact on families, as electricity and gas consumption will decrease considerably in April, compared to January and February,” he said.
According to the premier, socially vulnerable families are in hardships due to a 20% slowdown in remittances to Armenia. “This downfall first of all hits the socially vulnerable,” the premier said.
“It means that the government must continue its target policy, assisting 118,000 socially vulnerable families. If their number increases, the government will earmark budget funds to pay social benefits to those families,” he concluded. –0--
