PanARMENIAN.Net

April 2, 2011 - 16:36 AMT

ARTICLE

Mitigated gas prices for poor Armenian families to alleviate inflation damage

60 thousand needy families will pay a lower price for the natural gas from April 1, 2011.

Challenged by high inflation rate, the Armenian government has launched various agricultural programs and resolved to bring down the gas prices for poor families. Thus, from April 1, 2011, 60 thousand of needy families will pay a lower price for the natural gas. The measure has become possible due to the changes effected in the energy system, specifically modernization of the Yerevan heat power plant. The consumers who use up to 300 cu m of gas will be given special coupons which will allow then to pay AMD 100 for a cu m. Those consuming more than 300 cu m will pay the standards price set at AMD 132.

Besides, Yerevan Jur company announced plans to lower tariffs from the current AMD 181 down to AMD 175. According to commercial director Gagik Margaryan, new tariffs will take effect from July 2011, should it be approved by the Public Services Regulatory Commission.

In addition, the Armenian government will allocate AMD 4.2 billion for subsidizing irrigation water thus planning to cover 60 percent of expenses. According to Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, irrigation water price is the most pressing problem for the farmers.

To improve the activity of the State Committee for Protection of Economic Competition, the Armenian National Assembly is to debate a legislative package envisaging enlargement of the anti-monopoly body’s authority, specifically the right to monitor the local market for prevention of ungrounded rise in prices for first-necessity goods.

Victoria Araratyan / PanARMENIAN News