Thursday, 29 September 2011
2012 State Budget Bill Approved
A Cabinet sitting was held today, chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan.
The Cabinet discussed and approved the 2012 State budget bill, charging the Minister of Finance to make changes of editorial character if necessary and submit the finalized version to the Staff of Government.
The heads of government agencies were given a month’s time to submit the 2012 maintenance costs and annual (consolidated) cost estimates for such agency-integrated offices as implement foreign State- and international lending entity-financed projects in line with the requirements set forth by the Ministry of Finance.
The following draft annual programs were next approved by the meeting: State-funded healthcare programs, disabled persons’ social protection and employment-related measures, children’s rights protection-oriented actions, Lake Sevan ecosystem conservation, rehabilitation, reproduction and management program, border region and Gyumri town development action plans, other programs relating to scientific research and sport.
Chief of Government Staff David Sargsyan was told to ensure that the State budget bill’s finalized version, as well as the government-approved targeted and annual programs and action plans be forwarded to the National Assembly in the manner established by law.
Concerning the 2012 Sate budget bill, Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said hard work will be have to be done to meet the proposed targets. A first-ever wage reform is on the agenda with welfare spending due to be increased next year, including the old-age pensions and benefits.
Considering that effective use has been made of those 10 billion drams allocated to marz administrations under the February 3, 2011 government decree for implementation of public works, the meeting amended it to add as much funds for program extension. In this connection, Tigran Sargsyan stated as follows: “Based on a presidential decree, we released 10 billion drams from the reserve fund to address the priority problems faced in the provinces. What matters most is that communities were the ones to move this initiative. And the most important outcome is that our citizens expose the challenges and suggest ways out of them.
Also, you may be aware that the Prime Minister’s control service keeps a close watch on the use of those funds. Visiting the provinces one can see that the citizens are pleased with our undertaking as the amounts allocated have helped address key welfare issues in the countryside. I am confident that either the second release of funds will prove as much effective.”
The Government Staff was allocated 10 million drams to reward the winners of “Best Kindergarten Teacher” and “Best School Teacher” national contests with a motorcar each. An amount has been envisaged to hold a gala event on Teacher’s Day.
In conclusion, the meeting backed the strategic five-year program on improved management, conservation and maintenance of Armenia’s multi-storied housing estate, directing the Minister of Urban Development to submit in 15 days’ time a proposal on program coordinating task force composition.
