Pashinyan told what about 2 trillion drams confiscated as illegal property were used for

YEREVAN, April 15. /ARKA/. Around 2 trillion drams, confiscated as illegally acquired property, have been either redistributed among the population or invested in Armenia’s strategic development. This was announced by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a parliamentary report on the implementation of the government's program.

“It’s important to note that the stolen property wasn’t just returned to the people, a system was created to ensure its return,” said Pashinyan.

According to him, from 2018 to 2024, a total of 233.8 billion drams was allocated to increasing pensions.

“We’ve doubled the minimum pension. Pensions have been raised five times. The average pension has increased by 22.3%. Of course, this figure is still insufficient. It’s important to note that the 233.8 billion drams were distributed among a growing number of pensioners since 2018, their number has increased by 125,000,” he said.

Pashinyan also noted the introduction of a pensioner cashback program, through which about 290,000 pensioners received a total of approximately 19.9 billion drams 18 billion of which came from the state budget.

Additionally, 61 billion drams were allocated for childcare for children up to two years of age. The number of beneficiary mothers increased by 46,063, and the average benefit was doubled.

A total of 31.4 billion drams was allocated for the birth of a third child and each subsequent child. This program began on January 1, 2022. As of December 31, 2024, 33,825 children are receiving monthly state support of 50,000 drams.

Pashinyan added that 5.4 billion drams were used to improve the energy efficiency of homes and apartments for 25,000 citizens by subsidizing loan interest rates.

Under the "300 Schools" program, 99 billion drams were allocated to improve infrastructure for 63,400 students. Between 2018 and 2024, compared to the previous seven-year period, an additional 74.3 billion drams was allocated to science. Researchers’ salaries increased by 105% to 300%, and total science funding was doubled.

An additional 31 billion drams was allocated to increase military personnel salaries.

“Today, there are ordinary servicemen who earn 582,000 drams,” said Pashinyan.

From 2018 to 2024, 242 billion drams more were invested in road construction compared to the previous seven-year period.

“An additional 2,000 kilometers of roads were built or repaired a 576% increase. This figure excludes the North-South Highway and subsidized programs,” he said.

An additional 100 billion drams went to leasing and agricultural support programs.

Between 2018 and 2024, 271 billion drams were returned to citizens through income tax refund programs, including mortgage assistance. As a result, about 41,000 citizens were able to purchase homes in new developments.

Since 2018, the total value of regional subvention packages has reached 225 billion drams. This includes the “500 Kindergartens” program, for which 23 billion drams were allocated to serve around 33,000 children. Overall, subsidies to the regions increased by approximately 159 billion drams.

(Exchange rate: $1 = 390.92 drams)