New PM says vulnerable consumers must pay less for electricity, gasSeptember 15, 2016 - 13:17 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan ordered on Thursday, September 15 that relevant agencies develop a strategy which would allow socially vulnerable people to pay less for electricity and gas at the expense of other consumers. Chairing a government session, Karapetyan told the Public Services Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources and that of Labor and Social Affairs “to team up for a logical mechanism.” He said, however, that the changes should be made not at the expense of the budget, but the businesses providing such services. So it wasn’t entirely clear whether non-vulnerable consumers or the businesses should pay the difference once a mechanism is created. Another of the issues the newly-appointed premier weighed in on was corruption. He said that new committees will be established to tackle the issue. But meanwhile, Karapetyan said, the State Revenue Committee should ensure the immediate implementation of tax regulations by major manufacturers and importers who are considered privileged. He said that tax inspections should be carried out exclusively in entities posing risk and checkups in small and medium-sized enterprises must be implemented only in extreme cases. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |